Dreaming of...Mexico

I've been thinking about Mexico a lot lately...the mountains, the desert sunsets, the beaches, the cities, the art and design (and, um, the margaritas). It all just sounds so vibrant and exciting.

Clockwise from top left: 1) Knit chair from Pirwi; 2) Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses, $98 from Nordstrom; 3) "Poolside" dress from Steven + Brown, on sale for $89; 4) Del Mar vase from Emilia Ceramics, $125; 5) Matiko Fringe T-Strap Sandal from Urban Outfitters, $128; 6) The courtyard at ex-Hacienda Las Trancas, suites from $300/night; 7) "Javanica" Tote from Anthropologie, $88; 8) The Collected Poems of Octavio Paz, 1957-1987 from Amazon.com, $17.79

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Spring Breakup

Sorry for the lack of posting lately...I've been feeling a bit uninspired. What I need is a spring break, but sadly I am no longer a student and it's hard to take a spring break from life. At least the weather will be taking a decidedly summer-like turn starting tomorrow. Until then, it's brownies, movies, and gazing longingly at the pictures from my spring break trip to California last year. The above photo was taken on a perfect day in Coyote Hills Regional Park...if you live in the Bay Area, it's definitely worth a visit!

Ballymaloe House

I've never been to Ireland, but if I had a chance to go, I would want to spend my time driving through the countryside and staying at charming inns like the Ballymaloe House, a Norman castle in County Cork which dates back to 1450.

Situated on a 400-acre estate, Ballymaloe House offers gardening and wine tasting courses and it even boasts its own cookery school (complete with 100 acres of organic farmland). There is also an award-winning restaurant on site.

Ahhh...this is what I will be daydreaming about today. Happy St. Paddy's!

Wish I Were There

(Photo via Battery Carriage House website)

Maybe it's just a touch of cabin fever, but I've been feeling the need for a change of scenery. I wish I could hop on a plane for a quick getaway somewhere, anywhere (well, as long as it's relatively warm). I need to relax and recharge. Austin, Charleston, and L.A. all sound just grand right now...here's what I would do in each city:

Austin: 1) scope out the thriving food truck scene; 2) stay at the Hotel San José; 3) check out some sculpture and have lunch at the Nasher Center; 4) eat real Texas BBQ at The Salt Lick; 5) catch some live music.

Charleston: 1) eat at the Hominy Grill and Jestine's; 2) stay in a cozy B&B; 3) get my fill of red velvet cupcakes at Sugar Bakeshop; 4) spend an afternoon browsing at Blue Bicycle Books; 5) take a self-guided bicycle tour of historic downtown.

L.A.: 1) see what all the fuss is about at Sweet Lady Jane; 2) hear the L.A. Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall; 3) hunt down the Kogi taco truck; 4) have a "500 Days of Summer" moment on Angels Knoll; 5) find a hotel pool with affordable day rates where I can lounge under the sun.

*****

What will I actually be doing this weekend? Most likely reading Cranford, watching what's left of the Olympics, maybe doing a little baking (I have a craving for some sort of chewy, oat-y cookie), and praying for the mercury to rise. Spring cannot get here soon enough...

Dreaming of...Indonesia

Even though I love the snow, I can't help but daydream every year about taking a winter vacation to some exotic locale. My dream destination of the moment: Kampung Sampireun, a resort in West Java, Indonesia. Tucked among hills and (seven!) volcanoes, the resort looks so peaceful--the perfect getaway from the stresses of winter. Guests get private bamboo bungalows overlooking a small lake and their own personal canoe for exploring the water. There is a spa and a restaurant on site, but if you don't feel like leaving your bungalow, vendors will canoe right up to your balcony selling traditional Indonesian cakes. Doesn't that sound just lovely?

Christmas in Paris

How pretty is this picture of the Champs Elysees all lit up for the holidays? Even though September was the perfect time (in terms of weather) to visit Paris, I would love to take a winter trip there some day. I can just imagine strolling through the streets, looking at the lovely holiday displays in the shop windows, going ice skating at the Hôtel de Ville, and then warming up with with a super thick hot chocolate at a café....ahhhhh.

(Photo by my friend and travel buddy, Ivan Hernandez)

Tasty Indianapolis

Zach and I took a little day trip to Indianapolis on Sunday, and, as usual, our visit mainly revolved around food. First, we had lunch at Maxine's Chicken & Waffles, which was kind of awesome. I had been wanting to try chicken and waffles ever since I learned that such a thing existed, and Maxine's did not disappoint. The waffle could have been crispier, but other than that, it was a great lunch. After a walk along the central canal (I bet you didn't know Indianapolis had canals...neither did I!) and a drive through Old Northside to gawk at all of the lovely historic homes, we were ready for another snack. Our next stop was The Flying Cupcake in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood. The bakery is cute as a button, and our Here Comes the Bride cupcake (almond cake with almond buttercream and tiny edible pearls) was moist and delectable. We ended the day by strolling through the Broad Ripple area and dining at Brugge Brasserie. Our French bread sandwiches (or mitraillettes as they call them) were nothing to write home about, but the frites were divine and Zach was impressed with the restaurant's home-brewed beer. All in all, Indianapolis is a very tasty city full of surprises.

(P.S. I've decided to scrap Tasty Thursdays after today...one day a week to dedicate to food just isn't enough!)

littlebits Guide to Paris

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Last week I shared some of my favorite spots in London, and now it's time to let you in on some great hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems in the City of Light. This was not my first time to Paris (and it certainly will not be the last), so I got to re-visit some old favorites as well as discover a whole crop of new ones.

1. 2. 3.

1. Fromagerie Véron - Located on the Rue Mouffetard (home of the popular Mouffetard Market), this shop is the perfect place to pick up a couple of cheeses for a picnic in one of the nearby parks. The best part of this fromagerie, though, is the owner, who was sweet and adorable and patient with my attempts at speaking French.

2. Cimitière Père Lachaise - The resting place of the likes of Colette, Chopin, Edith Piaf (and, most famously, Jim Morrison), this well-manicured cemetery on the eastern edge of the city is a peaceful setting for a leisurely, contemplative stroll on a cloudy day.

3. Le Comptoir des Archives - A nice spot in the Marais for a tasty, affordable weekend lunch and a bit of people-watching. I had the duck confit with fried potatoes and green salad, which at €11 was practically a bargain.

4. 5. 6.

4. Hôtel Biron Garden - For just €1 (it costs an additional €5 to enter the museum itself), you can stroll through the beautiful garden at the Rodin Museum. It is full of sculpture, including bronze casts of some of Rodin's most famous works (The Thinker, Gates of Hell, The Burghers of Calais).

5. La Grande Épicerie - If you are a foodie, plan on spending no less than two hours in this epicurean paradise. From chocolate to caviar, truffles to champagne and everything in between, this place literally has it all. I left with a kilo of hand-gathered grey sea salt, a bag of herbes de Provence, some Valrhona cocoa powder, and a small jar of intoxicatingly-scented truffle salt.

6. L'As du Fallafel - There are no less than five (and quite possibly more) places to get falafel on the Rue des Rosiers in the Old Jewish Quarter, but L'As du Fallafel is widely considered the best of the bunch (even Lenny Kravitz is a fan!). For €5 you get a fresh, soft pita stuffed to the brim with crunchy falafel, pickled cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, tahini, and a garlicky tzatziki sauce. So good.

7. 8. 9.

7. Arnaud Delmontel - Okay, I have to admit that I didn't actually eat anything from this bakery in Montmartre, but only because I already had my heart set on a cone of ice cream from the shop down the street (see number 10 below). I did scope out the goods, however, and they all looked absolutely amazing. Think whole-grain baguettes, jewel-like tarts, and the always popular French macarons.

8. Berko - I already let you in on the best cupcakes in Paris (even if they were the only ones I tried), but I couldn't leave Berko off of this list. I am still dreaming about the creamy coffee-flavored filling of the tiramisu cupcake...yum. Waiting until the last day of my trip to visit this place is NOT a mistake I will make twice.

9. Pont des Arts - Right around sunset, this pedestrian bridge in the heart of Paris turns into a meeting place for friends and lovers. Bring a blanket, a bottle of wine, and someone you love and watch the sun go down behind the Eiffel Tower. Ahhh...perfection.

And a few more for good measure...

10. Caramella - A great little ice cream shop on the Rue des Martyrs in Montmartre. The hours are a bit unpredictable (we happened to walk by around 2:00 when it was supposed to open, but it didn't actually open until about 2:45), but the light and delicately-flavored (think speculoos, coffee, and pear with cinnamon) ice cream is worth waiting around for.

11. Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves - Paris is lousy with flea markets, but the one at Porte de Vanves is generally considered to be the best. There is plenty to see here, from books to art to household items, but don't expect bargain prices. I picked up a few old black and white photographs, a rubber stamp from the 60s, and a couple of chipped café au lait bowls (the ones in better shape were way out of my price range).

12. Luxembourg Gardens - This popular park certainly isn't a hidden gem, but I never get tired of it. The flowers, the fountains, the sculpture, the palace...it's all gorgeous. I cannot imagine visiting Paris without spending at least one entire day here, just eating, drinking, reading, and taking in the beautiful surroundings for hours. This is Paris at its most beguiling.

(All photos by me.)

littlebits Guide to London

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It's Tasty Thursday, and this week I've got some of the edible highlights (and a few other favorite spots) from my recent trip to London. London is a city with a lot to offer--world-class restaurants, museums, theater, shopping, you name it. This was my first time in the city, so I wanted to do and see as much as possible, but I was also on a tight budget. This is not an exhaustive guide by any means, but these are some of the (inexpensive) places that made me smile during my week-long visit.

1. 2. 3.

1) Victoria & Albert Museum - The V&A's collection is extensive, and there is something (from jewelry to fashion to antiquities) for everyone. They also have a lovely courtyard with a small café and a wonderful gift shop with beautifully-designed (and surprisingly affordable) items for the home. Plus, free admission!

2) Covent Garden Market - Shops and restaurants galore. Go on a Monday for the weekly antiques market in Jubilee Hall and grab a cupcake from Ella's Bakehouse or a cup of tangy frozen yogurt from Yuforia (pictured) for a little pick-me-up after you're done shopping.

3) Culture Grub - Place an order of pan-fried pork and cabbage dumplings for take-away from this popular Chinese spot and do like the locals and head to nearby Waterloo Millenium Green for an alfresco lunch.

4. 5. 6.

4) Spitalfields - A renovated market space that is home to lots of cute shops and inexpensive restaurants (including Square Pie!), plus an antiques market on Thursdays and a general market on Fridays and Saturdays.

5) The Golden Hind - Perfect fish and chips in a cozy, charming shop in Marylebone. After lunch, wander through the cobblestone streets and do a little window shopping.

6) Tate Britain - Located along the Thames in a quiet tree-lined neighborhood, the Tate Britain is a nice place to while away a rainy afternoon. Highlights of the collection include Elizabethan portraiture, paintings by Pre-Raphaelite masters Millais and Rossetti, and a huge collection of works by JMW Turner. Admission is free.

7. 8. 9.

7) South Bank Book Market - A daily used book market tucked right under Waterloo Bridge. Its location on the Jubilee Walkway makes it a great starting point for a late-morning stroll along the Thames.

8) VitaOrganic - I stumbled upon this place by chance on a rainy day. My feet were soaked, and their cozy atmosphere and tasty-looking buffet beckoned to me through the window. Though raw and vegan food is not really my thing, all of the dishes I sampled were very tasty. And at just under £5 for the buffet, it is one of the better deals in London.

9) Hyde Park - In my opinion, this is the best of the centrally-located parks in London. An oasis of peace and quiet in a hectic city, it is great for an afternoon walk or even a nap. My favorite spot in the park was the rose garden, which is bordered on all sides by tall hedges, making it feel like your own little secret garden.

*****

Coming next week, the littlebits guide to Paris!

Etsy Friday, Paris Edition

Ah, Paris. I miss you. Here are some Etsy finds that remind me of you...xoxo, Rachael

A simple little dress in a lovely shade of blue, named for one of
Paris's most popular parks.

Brush up on your français with these vintage flash cards.

Pretty, pretty vintage French crocheted trim. Just because.

A roll-up-able blanket that's perfect for picnics in Luxembourg Gardens
or gazing at the stars on the Champs de Mars.

Say merci in style with these cute little letterpress notecards.

*****

Up next week: my Etsy picks for fall! Have a great weekend!

Tasty Paris, Part Trois

The apartment I stayed at in Paris was located just a couple of doors down from a bakery called Berko that had amazing cupcakes in the window, and somehow I managed to resist going inside until the day before I left. When I finally made it into the shop, I was met with a dazzling array of both mini and regular-sized cupcakes in flavors from red velvet to speculoos to salted caramel. An assortment of six minis cost a whopping 9,60 euros (or roughly $14)...and I have to say that it was worth every centime. I only got a chance to try the tiramisu (upper and lower left) and the chocolate mousse (upper middle) varieties, but they were both insanely delicious. Perfectly moist, dense cake, wonderful flavors, and creamy, dreamy fillings. I only wish I had discovered them sooner. (Or maybe not. $14 a day would have been an expensive cupcake habit!)

Tasty Paris, Part Deux

Got home last night, but I'm not quite in full-fledged blogging mode yet (more like napping and unpacking mode). For now, here is a picture of a picnic I had last week with my friend in Luxembourg Gardens. Simple. Delicious. France. Le sigh.

Tasty Paris

Though I was a budding gourmande when I first came to Paris four years ago, my passion for food has at least quadrupled since then. Sampling as much of the local food as possible, therefore, is one of my main goals for this visit. Up until today, I have been satisfied with typical street food-type fare (crêpes, falafel, etc.), but after an uninspiring rillettes (pork pâté) sandwich yesterday, I was determined to sample some real French cooking today.

I got my fix at Le Rubis (which I discovered via David Lebovitz), a little wine bar near the Tuileries gardens that offers a small menu of classic dishes that any French home cook worth her salt would surely have in her repertoire. I had the boeuf bourguignon (pictured above), which was everything I hoped it would be. With hardly a tap of the fork, the meat fell into perfect pink shreds, and the wine-tinged sauce was so lovely that I was thankful for the otherwise mediocre bread that came with the meal--perfect for sopping! With a bottle of côtes du rhône, it was a wonderful lunch.

Le Rubis

10 rue Marché Saint-Honoré

75001 Paris

Etsy Wednesday, London Edition

Bad, bad Rachael. I forgot to share my London-inspired Etsy finds last week! I may not be in England anymore, but here are five items that would surely make anyone feel a wee bit British...

These dainty vintage pine cone teacups would certainly do
for an afternoon spot of tea.

Here's a little something for the gents: a jaunty houndstooth scarf
from London-based Etsy shop Odds and Sods (this item sold out
already, but maybe they will make more!).

This clever photo of a map of Southern England utilizes a shallow depth-of-field
to draw your attention to the country's capital.

Go ahead and be cheeky with this canvas tote featuring a
screen-printed likeness of Queen Elizabeth.

Everyone knows that it rains in London. Keep dry
with this vintage London Fog raincoat.

*****

Coming next week...Etsy picks with a French flair!

Tasty Amsterdam

In keeping with the tradition of the past few weeks, I give you Tasty Thursdays on Friday. This week, I want to share with you a traditional Dutch treat...a pancake! But not just any pancake. A pancake so big that I couldn't fit the whole thing in the picture. Dutch pancakes are thin and crispy on the outside, creamy and a bit chewy on the inside. You can order them with all sorts of fillings, both sweet and savory (and in such odd combinations as bacon and raisins). I opted for the classic ham and cheese, which was very delicious :)

Tasty London

Greetings from (Greater) London! Once again, I am a day late with my Tasty Thursday post. Oops. But I have something extra special to share with you this week--a taste of traditional British cuisine! This might not be the most appetizing food photo ever taken, but...boy, was it tasty. After coming in on the red eye (on which I did not manage to get a wink of sleep) yesterday morning, I more or less made a beeline for Spitalfields, which hosts an antiques market on Thursdays and is also home to Square Pie. As the name suggests, Square Pie specializes in pies (def. - meat and/or veggies with gravy and/or cheese baked inside of puff pastry). I opted for a small mince and cheese pie, served here with mashed potatoes and mushy peas. Put a smile on my face, and kept me full for a full day of touring around the city :)

Etsy Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, my dears! I'll be going wheels-up in just a few hours, so I thought I would bring you travel-inspired Etsy picks this week...enjoy!

I love the idea of carrying on a little vintage suitcase
rather than the standard black wheelie.

Even if you're only taking a "staycation" this year, your friends are sure
to appreciate a note on this cute hand-printed postcard.

Start saving for your next trip with this vintage tin globe bank.

Keep your iPod safe and cozy when you're on the go with this fun sleeve.

If you're like me and you collect receipts, ticket stubs, and other
little things when you travel, keep them organized in this
sleek accordian folder made from airmail envelopes.

*****

And I'm off! Stay tuned...