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Archive for April, 2011

Candy buttons, a description: Candy ButtonsCandy Dots, or Pox are small rounded pegs of candy that are attached to a strip of paper.

EXCITING, right?

But they are SO DELICIOUS! These remind me of my childhood. And I am still addicted. According to Wikipedia, Necco (who acquired the brand in 1980 apparently) makes 3/4 billion candy buttons in the course of a year. That impressive for vintage candy!

I hope to get more via the USA soon. For those of you that haven’t tried them… find some, taste them, and understand just why I would take pictures of the silly things. They are just cute as can be. Thanks, Mom!

Carnival candy is the best… What’s your favorite?

Mykonos: So it starts with a Greek Salad.

…..and ends with some Baklava.

Welcome to Mykonos, Greece. 5 girls. 1 island during the off season, a hell of a lot of mini-greek-churches, endless ridiculously epic moments.

The Aegan (Mykonos side…) adventure began upon arrival from the Blue Star Ferries from Piraeus port to the lovely New Port of Mykonos Island. It was rainy as the back end of the ferry opened onto the shore, but regardless, the white house on the hills popped out from the mountainsides, and we were picked up and taken to our hotel, Arhontiko Pension (singing Mamma Mia under my breath…)

To start off, I highly suggest renting a car. It cost us $35/day and we drove all around the island to all the random beaches (SUPER PARADISE), the lighthouse on the northern tip facing Tinos, … starbucks  (should I be ashamed?) etc.. We had a lunch on the seaside at Ithaki in Ornos, the southern part of the island (about a 20 minute drive). The seafood was extraordinary with some Greek white wine and of course Ouzo to finish off the meal. My favorite thing is all of the little churches perked up on the hillsides next to every house. Another reason to get a car, to take pictures of ALL OF THEM.

On the seaside as you enter town (which is all pedestrian by the way) we popped in a restaurant called Kadéva which had divine snacks: Tzatziki, Fava Bean Salad, Spicy Cheese spread, Stuffed Grapeleaves, Mykonian Cheese toasts, Mykonian dried meat bruchetta,  etc… Try a glass of Greek Retsina!  Roaming round in town is divine, to say the least. It’s like little sets of Grecian dollhouses…..Pop in all the little luxury shops or tourist shops that all cater to the Greek  atmosphere. Don’t forget to wander and  try to find the Pelican by the seaside and also stop by  what the Mykonians call Little Venice to catch  a view of the Windmills on the water. Not far from the main water front is a treasure called Manderina, filled with Greek …everything (oils, vinigars, liquor, baklava, olives, honey…). Great for gifts and they even ship worldwide! Try the pistachio baklava, you will probably almost faint it’s so delicious.

Have a traditional Greek meal at Maereio (suggested by our lovely hosts at Arhontiko) When the sun goes down, hit up Jacuzzi and Toro Loco in Mykonos Town. Let’s just say during off season it’s a bit empty, but you’re bound to have an amazing time, especially meeting the locals or running into people you know from Uni (spring break!).

Above all Mykonos is a place of random restless relaxation. Roam the island, wander town, meet the locals, eat TONS of feta… the whole island is a playground. Then again, I can’t imagine it in high season, but for a relaxing spring break it did the trick. For more on Mykonos and some tips for the high things when everything is actually open, check out the 36 Hours In Mykonos by NYTimes.

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Cute. Just cute. Corner terrasse… basically ideal for people watching in a great area. I personally love this area in general, and this cafe is perfect to keep your eyes busy with a glass of wine on the table! Now that spring has arrived, pop around different bars or sit on the terrasse with a snack. You won’t regret it, really!

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Address: 65, rue Montmartre

Metro: Grands Boulevards (Line 8,9) / Etienne Marcel (Line 4)

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Collaboration is in (see article by Racked.com, here).

So today was sort of a big day. No joke. I have been waiting for this for quite some time, being a big Swedish Hasbeen fan and all. Even though it is a separate line for H&M, I had to have a pair (or two). My original pairs are my babies, and I am always in a happy mood while wearing them. So I made my choice to be at H&M Haussmann at opening to snatch some Swedish Hasbeens for H&M. Being the average shoe size isn’t easy! Oftentimes by the time you get to  the store they are all out of them. I couldn’t risk this.

Caro and I got there at opening, tried on a bunch and left with quite a few. Oops. I even got a pair for my mom. Obsessed much? The H&M line of Hasbeens run from 50 euros  to 60 euros, a pinch cheaper than an original pair (sarcasm?) but still seem to be great quality cloggies!

The Swedish Hasbeens for H&M are part of the Conscious Collection, which features lots of neutral colors and cute cuts, check it out here.

I honestly hesitated to get one of each style (hope I don’t regret not having the lace up slip on clogs in my wardrobe….), because they are all so cute, and they definitely kept the original knack of Swedish Hasbeens-ish-ness. LOVE IT.

I am a happy camper. Today is a good day. Head over to H&M to get your own pair before they are all gone! Limited edition!

[forgive me for lame iPhone photos....]

 

The stock market bar.

I found this to be particularly clever. I know they exist in most cities, but in Paris? Who knew! I’ve been here 3 1/2 years and just discovered it. And, once again, in an area that I least expected! Packed with the normal after-work business-type person, Footsie’s is a lovely place to pop in for a drink (like most places I post about). As implied  by the whole stock market idea, the prices of the drinks go up and down by 10 or 20 cents (or more!) depending on what is high on the market! (*Note: Not to worry, prices are taken AS ordered, so when you get your bill, the prices are as the prices were when you ordered your drinks)

A glass of red wine could go from 3,90 euros to 4,20 euros! Keep your eyes on the screens, trust me, you’ll get carried away.

Right across the street from this charm, is Harry’s New York Bar. It’s an evening of quite the anglo-saxon business environment, but fantastic for anyone, and central in the city!  I personally am a fan of the whole idea. Cleverness (?) is the best.

Address: 10 rue Daunou

#: 01 42 60 07 20

Metro: Opera (Line 3,7,8)