Travel - Poland + Czech Republic

 This post has been in my draft section for months. I went on an amazing 3 week trip last summer but never got around to blogging about it. I think it's because I've been a little intimidated to sort through 3 weeks worth of pictures plus write about them.

Seeing as how I just got back from another trip (Eastern Caribbean) that needs to be blogged about, I'm just going to go ahead and post this even though I didn't get very far. Maybe I will come back and visit it at a later date. Some pictures are better than none right?

We started the trip in Prague, Czech Republic. From there we went to Krakow, Poland, Lublin, Poland, Zamosc, Poland, then ended in Warsaw, Poland. The only thing I feel the need to say is that it was my second time visiting Krakow and it remains to be my favorite city in the world! It just has something special about it. The architecture is amazing, the people are amazing, the food is amazing, and the shopping is amazing.  It's crowded but not overly crowded. I just love it!

p.s. this pictures are in random order

Old Town Square - Prague

View of the city from Prague Castle

Love Locks - Prague

Warsaw, Poland

St. Mary's Basilica - Krakow Poland

Warsaw,  Poland

Old Town Square - Prague

Kazimierz, Poland

Inside St. Mary's Basilica

Salt Mine- Krakow, Poland

Krakow Castle - Poland

Snazzy Tunes - St. Vincent

I've been obsessed with this song lately. It's kind of dark and has a super catchy chorus. I find myself listening to it alot when I drive. A great song for the cold weather.

 

St. Vincent - Cheerleader


And also this song... more upbeat. Dancy and awesome

 

St. Vincent - Cruel
 

Travel - San Francisco

Last month Nick and I went on a weekend trip to San Francisco. I had never been there before and had always wanted to go, and nick loves it there so we booked our tickets and jumped on a plane! Well it wasn't quite so spontanious but you catch my drift...

We did all the touristy stuff, plus some non touristy stuff. The first night our flight got in around 7. Once we got settled in at the hotel we went out to dinner at Bluestem Brasserie. It was super tasty! I had the most delicious tapioca pudding with a caramelized top.

The next day we went to the bridge, chinatown, shopping, and a spur of the moment Giants game. After the game we met up with a few of Nick's friends for drinks (I can't remember the name of the bar). After drinks we went into the mission and got tacos from Taqueria Pancho Villa which was very tasty. After tacos we went to a couple of bars. One was called Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem. It had a bunch of weird glitterized manequin sculptures with gas masks. I didn't take any pictures there but I wish I did. We also went to a bar called Beauty Bar. It is modeled after a hair salon and has giant vintage looking blow dryers everywhere.

Day three we went to the farmers market at the ferry building. YUM!!! Miette Bakery has the most delicious treats! After that we went to Haight Ashbury and ate at a gastropub called Magnolia. I absolutely loved the atmosphere there. I left the Haight Ashbury area feeling very inspired. It's awesome that there are so many people who are able to pursue creative lifestyles and actually make it work. That night we took it easy at the hotel and went to bed early (we were both fighting colds).

Our last day we went back to the ferry building and ate at The Slanted Door. We only had a few small things but it was very delicious and I highly recommend going there. Then we went to Japan town, the park where you can see the painted ladies (i.e. full house houses), then went on a mad hunt for the crookedest street but google maps led us astray and we never made it there.

I didn't do the best job photo documenting the trip but here's what I did get.

p.s. don't judge me for wearing the same outfit the entire time I was there. I didn't pack very well and it was a little chilly so my Lulu Horse Print scarf came in handy.




Walking around the financial district

Chinatown

 

Go Giants!

Nick looking fine at the ferry building

Farmers market day at the ferry building

The Hyatt across the street from the ferry building - cool elevators!

View from the top floor of the Hyatt

Japan Town

View of the MOMA from the top of our hotel

View from our hotel - we stayed at W

Pretty view on the way home

Naughty Treats - Oh So Perfect Pumpkin Applesauce Cookie!

 

 So I was at the store the other day when I came across a perfect little pile of pumpkins. Quickly my mind filled up with all the wonderful things I could make with them.. pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin spiced lattes! Fast forward 2 weeks later and my little pumpkins were still sitting sadly in my kitchen looking neglected. I should never be allowed to go to the store when hungry, it always resorts in wishful cooking fantasies.

I decided to buck up and do something with the pumpkins before it was too late. A simple Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe didn’t seem too daunting and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

First you need to puree your pumpkin - 1 small pumpkin makes about 1 3/4 cups pureed

 

Cut your pumpkins in half top to bottom, scoop out the guts, place them cut side down in a baking dish filled with 2-3 inches of water, bake at 350 degrees for 45 min or until flesh is easily punctured, remove from over and let cool, scoop the flesh out and pop it into a blender or food processer until smooth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yields about 30 cookies, Prep 20 Min, Cooking 12 minutes per batch

For this recipe you will need:

• 1 cup pureed pumpkin (you’re not feeling ambitious 1 cup canned pumpkin will work just fine)
• ½ cup of applesauce (I used blackberry applesauce but any kind would work great)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 ¼  cups all-purpose flour (reduce to 2 cups if using canned pumpkin)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Pinch of pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Mix together your pumpkin, applesauce, sugar, vanilla, and egg.

In a separate bowl stir together your flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pie spice, salt, and baking soda

Slowly add your flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture mixing it well

Add your chocolate chips – I used the whole bag. Don’t skimp here! Good chocolate is key! Be careful not to mix to much once the chips are in or they will start to break up.

Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet and pop those babies in the over at 350°F for approximately 12 minutes or until lightly brown and firm.

Let cool for 1-2 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.

Stuff your face and enjoy!

 

Inspiration - Lovely Sunbeams

If you're at all like me you grew up on Roald Dohl. Huddled unter your blankets late at night with a flash light reading the BFG cover to cover. Ahhh man I miss being a kid.

I just love this happy little poster by Kensie Kate. All of her posters are lovely but I love this one especially! Quote is from The Twits.

 

Pinned - Made For Eachother Edition 2

This might just be a phase but these past few weeks I've been really into chic street style. I've got a pair of  black motorcycle boots that I've been wearing with leggings and a baggy tee to no end and I even impulse bought one of those cut out skull shirts (I wasn't feeling ambitious enough to DIY it but if you do HERE is a good one). This is a compilation of my favorite made for eachother items geared more towards the street end of the style spectrum. 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

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Inspiration for a Happy Friday

I've always loved this quote by Lewis Carrol. Isn't this cut out print lovely? Happy Friday!

Can't find the source for this image anywhere - anyone know?