Yes, I am well aware that I have not shown you any pics of Barcelona yet. Soon! Until then, here is the next installment of "Ask MansionMogul." I thought I'd do a quick tribute to my current digs, since I'm moving this weekend! That's right, Keene and I actually get to have the same address again :) YAY! I was thinking about how when I was a kid I looooved my barbies and whenever I'd play it would be about an entire day of just setting up "Barbie's House". Usually it involved a giant box or coffee table, and those little plastic pizza stands that come in your pizza box? Yeah, those are BARBIE COFFEE TABLES. Don't even think of throwing them away! Anywhoos, the point is, that as a chick setting up house is a big deal. I feel like even though I was able to do so in DC, that this next house is the one I've really been pining for. *So excited* for the next chapter.
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Have a question for Ask MM next week?
Leave it in the comments then!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
*Eat*Pray*Love* in Barcelona
Ok so getting out of France was a bit tricky given their stupid train strike. WTH, France? But they put us on a bus with a gang of college-age American kids and their backpacks and eventually we all made it safe and sound into Spain. I think our bus driver wasn't accustomed to driving this route though...I didn't quite capture it, but let me tell you there was less than an inch to spare between our bus and all the smart cars lining this street:
He ended up scraping the bus against some concrete planters upon parking. Oh well, no biggie! Who cares anyway, we made it to Barcelona!
There were two posters that were ALL UP IN SPAIN while we were there:
"Amigos" vs "Enemigos"
Seriously, Enemigos everywhere.
And stupid Eat, Pray Love:
Terrible movie! The book was waaaaaaaaay better. Even better than the book though = reality!
I think Keene captured Julia's essence a lot better than I did. PS. Pretty sure we were eating mango and tiramisu gelato. I think...for sure it was really good!
Did I mention we stayed at the "B Hotel"? How could I resist anything with a "B"? It didn't warm up quite enough for us to go in this rooftop pool, but it looked divine!
I would totally stay here again, because it was super convenient and a good value.
Although unlike all our other hotels, the bed was lame! I was yearning for the old skool German memory foam...
This is called SUNSHINE, Seattle.
A picture that doesn't at all capture our awesome first meal in Barcelona:
The fish had seasonal mushrooms on top in a cream sauce. We decided we could've eaten an entire meal of just these mushrooms!
Stay tuned for more Barcelona... :)
He ended up scraping the bus against some concrete planters upon parking. Oh well, no biggie! Who cares anyway, we made it to Barcelona!
There were two posters that were ALL UP IN SPAIN while we were there:
"Amigos" vs "Enemigos"
Seriously, Enemigos everywhere.
And stupid Eat, Pray Love:
Terrible movie! The book was waaaaaaaaay better. Even better than the book though = reality!
I think Keene captured Julia's essence a lot better than I did. PS. Pretty sure we were eating mango and tiramisu gelato. I think...for sure it was really good!
Did I mention we stayed at the "B Hotel"? How could I resist anything with a "B"? It didn't warm up quite enough for us to go in this rooftop pool, but it looked divine!
I would totally stay here again, because it was super convenient and a good value.
Although unlike all our other hotels, the bed was lame! I was yearning for the old skool German memory foam...
This is called SUNSHINE, Seattle.
A picture that doesn't at all capture our awesome first meal in Barcelona:
The fish had seasonal mushrooms on top in a cream sauce. We decided we could've eaten an entire meal of just these mushrooms!
Stay tuned for more Barcelona... :)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
First ever "Ask MansionMogul"
Let's take a break from Europe posts, shall we? I got two great questions this week and here I go with my very first vlog with my MansionMogul answers...
You can create the "Beau Monde" Seasoning for my Christmas Dip recipe by following the instructions in this link. Happy dip makin'!
You can create the "Beau Monde" Seasoning for my Christmas Dip recipe by following the instructions in this link. Happy dip makin'!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Pont du Gard Day
Who's up for picnicking at a 2000 year old Roman Aqueduct? That's exactly what we got to do and it was a gorgeous day for it!
We determined this is the oldest structure I've ever seen!
These bricks are OLD. I mean, OLD. And still standing perfectly!
Isn't it grand?
View from the bridge.
Picnic! Keene bought this (4 euro?) bottle of "wine". It's like French Four Loko. Well, not really, but it's cheap! It actually wasn't that bad. A little skunky when we still had it around 2 days later, but still.
Real olives everywhere!
One end of the bridge.
French soldiers were there?
Pretty cool, huh?
I like it when the camera gets a sun orby thing.
Successful use of the timer function!
Keene trekked it up to the beginning of the bridge on the other side and took these cool pics...
Right?
You can see how it worked!
Obvs it used to go for miles - it's incredible that this part is all still here.
Behold, some video I took (proof that I cannot resist using "accent voice" or saying "there ya have it, folks" on video).
Back in the gift shop/cafe (how weird is it that 2000 yo landmarks all have gift shops?), there were these cute chairs. You don't see thoughtfully designed mass-produced public seating often!
Wrapping up our France part of the trip - we discovered we were very close to the place where Tavel Rose wines are born! This was really good - I think rose will totally be my new summer entertaining wine.
We figured out what "aubergine" is in French (eggplant) and had some awesome dinner!
I had curry mussels and Keene had the steak. Good stuff!
Our starter was also rad - eggplant "bake", cevice, awesome cheese, melon and prosciutto.
So "there ya have it, folks"! That was France. Are we ready for Spain!?
..............................................................
Don't forget to comment here with your ASK MANSIONMOGUL questions! Megan already gave me a great one, and I just need a few more!
We determined this is the oldest structure I've ever seen!
These bricks are OLD. I mean, OLD. And still standing perfectly!
Isn't it grand?
View from the bridge.
Picnic! Keene bought this (4 euro?) bottle of "wine". It's like French Four Loko. Well, not really, but it's cheap! It actually wasn't that bad. A little skunky when we still had it around 2 days later, but still.
Real olives everywhere!
One end of the bridge.
French soldiers were there?
Pretty cool, huh?
I like it when the camera gets a sun orby thing.
Successful use of the timer function!
Keene trekked it up to the beginning of the bridge on the other side and took these cool pics...
Right?
You can see how it worked!
Obvs it used to go for miles - it's incredible that this part is all still here.
Behold, some video I took (proof that I cannot resist using "accent voice" or saying "there ya have it, folks" on video).
Back in the gift shop/cafe (how weird is it that 2000 yo landmarks all have gift shops?), there were these cute chairs. You don't see thoughtfully designed mass-produced public seating often!
Wrapping up our France part of the trip - we discovered we were very close to the place where Tavel Rose wines are born! This was really good - I think rose will totally be my new summer entertaining wine.
We figured out what "aubergine" is in French (eggplant) and had some awesome dinner!
I had curry mussels and Keene had the steak. Good stuff!
Our starter was also rad - eggplant "bake", cevice, awesome cheese, melon and prosciutto.
So "there ya have it, folks"! That was France. Are we ready for Spain!?
..............................................................
Don't forget to comment here with your ASK MANSIONMOGUL questions! Megan already gave me a great one, and I just need a few more!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Avignon and the Palais des Papes
Sigh, we left our little place by the beach Villefrance and headed inland to Avignon, France. Very pretty countryside and a rustic, historical feel everywhere we went!
We decided to check out Palais des Papes or The Pope's Palace - here I am en route with the famous medieval bridge, Pont Saint-Bénezet, in the background. For some reason I was in a crap mood that morning. Can you tell?
Keene was being an awesome sport though, as per ushe.
Here we are! Does it look ancient?
Arty Farty Avignon pic.
Woo! More handsets with heavy indecipherable English accents!
Peeking around.
GARGOYLES
CATHOLICISM
Old ass rocks and ancient stuff
Lunch time! What better to order in France other than French Onion Soup?!
And I got the Boeuf Stroganof!
Avignon had this absolutely magical carousel in the square. Other cities had them too, but this one was particularly charming :)
............................................................
Ok Happy Friday Y'all! Don't forget to ask your "Questions for MansionMogul" in the comments today! I need your questions, because without them, I won't be able to VLOG!
We decided to check out Palais des Papes or The Pope's Palace - here I am en route with the famous medieval bridge, Pont Saint-Bénezet, in the background. For some reason I was in a crap mood that morning. Can you tell?
Keene was being an awesome sport though, as per ushe.
Here we are! Does it look ancient?
Arty Farty Avignon pic.
Woo! More handsets with heavy indecipherable English accents!
Peeking around.
GARGOYLES
CATHOLICISM
Old ass rocks and ancient stuff
Lunch time! What better to order in France other than French Onion Soup?!
And I got the Boeuf Stroganof!
Avignon had this absolutely magical carousel in the square. Other cities had them too, but this one was particularly charming :)
............................................................
Ok Happy Friday Y'all! Don't forget to ask your "Questions for MansionMogul" in the comments today! I need your questions, because without them, I won't be able to VLOG!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Lounging in Cap Ferat and Villefrance Sur Mer
I look back on these pictures and think, "wow, all we did on the Riviera was eat" - and I'm cool with that!
Check it.
This is where we stayed - our B&B is behind trees and stuff, but it's there.
The no-cruise-ships photo. :)
Villefrance, where we ate dinner!
Hello, this is my house. CRAZY
Ok so Keene declared this one of his top - perhaps even FAVORITE - meal we had in Europe.
Mine was definitely awesome too. And huge. And messy.
Escargot! I've never had to de-shell them before. ADVENTURE. They were really really good.
Another night in Velleferance we went to this cute little place.
Chillin'
Documenting the wine choice.
Can't get enough pizza!
I had to order spag in all the ways it comes. This time, carbonara. YUM.
And then chocolate mousse. Can't go wrong here.
I leave you with Mira (sp?), the dog that lived at our B&B. She was super sweet.
Ok YOU GUYS. I have something kinda different planned for tomorrow's post - thinking about giving this whole "video blog" a go. If I did an "Ask MansionMogul" Fridays, would you be into it?
Check it.
This is where we stayed - our B&B is behind trees and stuff, but it's there.
The no-cruise-ships photo. :)
Villefrance, where we ate dinner!
Hello, this is my house. CRAZY
Ok so Keene declared this one of his top - perhaps even FAVORITE - meal we had in Europe.
Mine was definitely awesome too. And huge. And messy.
Escargot! I've never had to de-shell them before. ADVENTURE. They were really really good.
Another night in Velleferance we went to this cute little place.
Chillin'
Documenting the wine choice.
Can't get enough pizza!
I had to order spag in all the ways it comes. This time, carbonara. YUM.
And then chocolate mousse. Can't go wrong here.
I leave you with Mira (sp?), the dog that lived at our B&B. She was super sweet.
Ok YOU GUYS. I have something kinda different planned for tomorrow's post - thinking about giving this whole "video blog" a go. If I did an "Ask MansionMogul" Fridays, would you be into it?
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