an ode to travel.

photos via: wildfox, tumblr, weheartit

i've always had a desire to travel, but recently the desire seems to have heightened. i want to discover new places; whether it be by car to travel nearby or a plane to fly overseas. i just want to escape for awhile and only focus on the new surroundings and/or culture that i embark on.

a spoonful of....

via: sarabeth.com

i've been a bit under the weather for the past two days. usually i would dismiss the thought of being ill, but i've needed this time to relax. i tend to run myself down, so this has been somewhat of a vacation. a vacation before my upcoming weekend getaway. so while on this little hiatus, i've been indulging in sarabeth's spreadable fruit. it's more delicious than any other jam or jelly that i've tasted. it's been the topping on english muffins and buttermilk biscuits; while i sip tea with a spoonful of honey. i first sampled the spreadable fruit when a family friend brought a case of different mixtures back from a trip to new york. it must be understood that it is ten dollars a jar, but it is quite decadent. i've had: mixed berry, blueberry cherry, and orange apricot. there are 14 different varieties, and i'm determined to try every single spreadable fruit that ms. sarabeth has concocted.

your name is heard in high places.

while perusing through venice's san marco plaza i came across the most charming cafe. caffe florian is known as venice's first cafe and has been around since 1720. just walking by the open doors one can imagine all of the talent that has graced the infamous place. anna sui has even named this luxurious spot as her "favorite place to have a drink." although i was not able to experience the tasteful decor this past summer, i plan on dropping in when i do visit venice once again. before then, i do plan on watching 'the talented mr. ripley' for caffe florian makes a cameo.


caffe florian photo credit:thebostonfoodie.blogspot.com

the one secret i did learn during my three week stay in italy, is that of coffee sans milk after breakfast hours. when first hearing this, i thought it was some type of tourist myth, but i quickly discovered it to be true. while dining out one night, i decided to have a, caffe latte (coffee with milk) with my dessert. as i ordered this i was shocked at the disgust of the waiter, although he did serve the caffe latte with a smile. for some reason, any coffee beverage with milk after 10 am is looked down upon in italian society. this must be the reason i have learned to drink coffee a la espresso, or just plain black.

midnight snack.

sprinkles.com

for the past two days i have been craving cupcakes, but not just any cupcakes. sprinkles cupcakes has to be the most decadent of them all. oh, what i would do for the red velvet version, or lemon, or chocolate...or any other flavor for that matter (except coconut). although, i would prefer to have my glass filled with soy milk or ice cold water.

crumpets, tea, and amelie

i have been longing for an elegant tea set for awhile now. i just don't think it is very practically for me to buy a set when i'm still living at home with my parents. that will all change in about a month or so; then i will finally be able to own one of my very own.




what would be even more perfect, is having a cup of tea while watching one of my all-time favorite films. (which i finally bought a few days ago)
'amelie' is a charming little story. i decided to put up the "english" version of the trailor, instead of the original (french) version. that way you could get a better idea of what the film is about, if you don't already know. the film is in french, but luckily there are subtitles. this was my very first foreign film that i watched in it's entirity, which then started my love affair with foreign films.