KaKao Chocolates

For those who don't know today is Christmas Eve, but more importantly, my birthday! So how do I celebrate? I went to KaKao Chocolates in Saint Louis. I bought many things. Among them were Cranberry-Orange Dark Chocolate Bark, Apple Ambrosia Pates de Fruits, a homemade Nutmeg Candy Cane, and a box of six truffles which had Lavender, Mulled Wine, Star Anise Caramel, Raspberry Balsamic, Rose Tea, and Smoke flavored truffles. I hadn't expected the flavor bomb that would come from these truffles. The Lavender truffle was the perfect balance of floral and chocolate. The Mulled Wine was full of fall/winter flavors and spices, while the Star Anise Caramel tasted sort of licorice-y. The Raspberry Balsamic truffle was slightly tangier then a raspberry truffle that you have probably tasted before. The Rose Tea was my least favorite because it really just tasted like creamy chocolate, which is not a bad thing, but considering it was a rose truffle, not the best. By far the most unexpected (and delicious) was the Smoke truffle. They achieved this flavor by smoking tea leaves, so it was a tad bit floral but mostly just tasted like chocolate barbecue smoke, which is very unique. The bark and the pates de fruits was also very delicious and I have yet to try the candy cane, but I'm sure that will be delicious too. So all men out there, I know that they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but don't be fooled, the way to a woman's heart is also through her stomach.

 

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Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome, Italy

Two months ago now I created a list of ten places I want to go around the world and ten activities I would like to do in each place. The next one on the list is a picnic at the Villa Borghese Gardens in Rome, Italy. Like before, we will start with the hotel accomodations. I decided upon the Hotel Ariston because it is right next to a train station and because it is hoghly rated in it's reviews. Since I don't like to dwell on the hotel too much, let us move on to the main event.
Villa Borghese Gardens are said to be a breathe of fresh air for Rome. For the picnic, I would stop by a salumi shoppe and go to pick up some bread to make sandwiches from a local farmers' market. There are many gardens within the overall park but I would go lunch at the Secret Gardens because it is charming and just the name is alluring. I would also make a point to stop by the Temple of Diana before leaving these gardens. The Temple of Diana was built in 1789 and originally housed a statue of Diana, goddess of the hunt.
Among the Gardens, Rome has much more to offer a traveler. However, I am not one to follow the touristy path, so I would go a more... unique root. I would go to see the Pasquino, or Rome's Talking Statue. In the 16th to 19th century, many people used statues as a way to express their political discontent by writing insults on a piece of paper and hanging around the statue. The word "Pasquinate"  means pasquinade in English, or a satire posted in a public place. The statue derived its name from this word and even today the statue still shows the policital past and present of its city.

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The 2011 Fashion Icon

This year has been a big year- especially in fashion.We have seen the modernization of  trends such as 60s mod, and we have also seen the start of new trends such as neon colors, dip-dyed hair, and menswear-inspired womenswear. With all these unique fashion statements, their has also emerged a fashion icon. This icon is none other than Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, or Kate Middleton. The Royal Wedding was one of the biggest events of the year, and has made a much more substantial impact then the Kardashian wedding. Kate Middleton was not born to royalty, much like the beloved Princess Diana, however her family was well-off and she was nicely educated. She attended the Univeristy of St. Andrews in Scotland where she studied art history. Kate is the ultimate fashion icon this year because she has figured out how to be demure and conservative, while still being very stylish. While being fashionable, she is also the ideal role model for every young girl. She is smart, polite, and stunningly beautiful, while also being charitable and an overall good person.

Kate Middleton has had some best-dressed list worthy ensembles, starting with her wedding dress. Her wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton of the fashion label Alexander McQueen. This dress has long-sleeves that are lace and a white ivory bodice and a poufy gown with a decent length train. She accessorized this dress with a beautiful tiara. Some other noteworthy outfits of hers are the blue silk dress she wore when she announced she was engaged to Prince William, a long peacoat with black tights,  a pink Jenny Packham dress, and a lovely red dress that has what looks like a blazer top, among many more. We can only hope that Kate keeps her reputation as a style icon, but nevertheless she is the undisputed fashion icon of 2011.
Stay Classy.
XOXO,
Elle

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Christmas List

So I have taken a break from my wonderful travel list to talk about my favorite holiday... Christmas! So here are some of the items on my list:
One of the insanely delicious truffles from Sterling Confections (BTW these truffles are triangular!)
Twirl eau de parfum by Kate Spade
The Guide to Living Colorfully book set by Kate Spade
The Prize Ball by Kate Spade
American Fashion Travel book from Assouline
Dance with Julianne: Cardio Ballroom
Survivor Chick from Chick Chocolates
The Cake Balls from Holy Cacao
Thats all for this time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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The Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

#3 on my lovely list is to hike through the Black forest to get to the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. The Black forest in near Munich, Germany, which is where we will start this adventure. Munich is one of the more prominent cities in Germany. I decided upon the Hotel Laimer Hof because of the very European-inspired rooms. The architecture is what drew me in, but I have to say for this particular hotel I didn't find much information on it. Yes, it has a website that says there are 23 rooms in this hotel and that the rooms are on the small side so if you are travelling with a family, you will get a couple rooms put together for you. Other than that, not too much other than some very flattering pictures of the residence. So, on the next subject.
 What to do in Munich? Well, there are plenty of fun things to do in Germany (especially if you are German, like me!), however, I would visit the quaint town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This town reflects the stylings of its historical past through the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. This town has shoppes, restaurants, and St. Jakob's church, which hosts the Twelve Apostles altar.

On to the main event: The hike. To get to this fairytale castle you have to hike through the Black forest which will take a couple hours, so expect this to be a day trip, but many say it's worth the trek. The Neuschwanstein Castle was built by King Ludwig II in the 19th century. The castle was inspired by the operas written by Richard Wagner. The inside of the castle tells the story of one of his operas. This castle was the inspiration for Cinderella's castle in Walt Disney World. So thats all for now. Stay Lovely!


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Verdi's Aida in Cairo, Egypt

#2 on my wonderful travelling list was to watch the annual performance of Verdi's Aida at the Cairo Opera House in front of the Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. I'll start with where to stay in Egypt. After some research, I decided that I would stay at the Nile Hotel because it was very well rated and because it overlooks the Nile River which is a must when your going to Egypt. For the most part, it operates like a normal hotel. I would stay in just a regular room, no fancy suites or anything like that, because I'm not sure I would want to spend that much time in a hotel when I'm in one of the most interesting cities in the world. But I would want to sightsee...
 I would start with  some monuments. The first on that list is the Alabaster Sphinx. This is different from the Sphinx your probably familiar with. This one is smaller, coming in at 26 ft long and 13 ft tall. Who this Sphinx was built for is unknown though it is thought that is Amenhotep III who built the Luxor Temple. What makes this sphinx different is that it was made with Alabaster, or Calcite, which was thought to have solar connections by the ancient Egyptians. Now as far as the show at the Cairo Opera House, Aida is showing in January 2012, the 27th through the 31st. And it is being shown in their Main Hall, as it should be. For those who don't know, Aida is the story of a Nubian princess who gets captured by Egyptian guards, and becomes a slave to the Pharaoh in Egypt. She then falls in love with the Captain Radames who is the son of the evil Pharaoh Zoser who wants to take over as the main Pharaoh of Egypt by killing the current Pharaoh. However, Captain Radames is supposed to marry Princess Amernis. But he falls in love with Aida, and they are both put to death for unlawfully being in love. At the end of the opera, Amneris becomes Pharaoh of Egypt and brought Egypt to a period of peace because of the love Radames and Aida had shown her. Well thats all for now. Until nexr time, Stay Lovely!

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Learning to Surf in Honolulu, Hawaii

 Yesterday I told you about the 10 trips I'd like to take right now, so this week, since I'm so travel-crazy, I've decided that I'm going to break down these trips for you, like where I would stay, what else I would do in that location, and all the ridiculous other things I feel like putting in each post. #1 on the list (these don't go in the order I would like to do them in, just FYI) was learning to surf in Honolulu, Hawaii! Let's start with accomodations for the stay, shall we? I looked at a couple of less than impressive resorts, but I finally found one that is just so darn adorable I can't even handle it. It's so cute! It's called the Puakea Ranch. It is particularly small, but that adds to its charm. Like the name implies, its not really a resort or hotel, I'm not really sure what you would call it to be quite honest, because its not really the way Americans think of a ranch. Anywho, they house four, yes four, bungalows. These bungalows are all super adorable and sophiscatedly unique. The one I was most drawn to was the Cowboy House. I was reluctant to actually look at because the name was not all that intriguing, but it is different from what the name implies, but what do I know, I'm not a cowboy! What I was drawn to in this bungalow was its counrty charm and its simplicity. The bedroom has white linen sheets and the whole house has a good amount of woodwork, which adds some country charm to its beachy surroundings. One thing thats also really cool about the Puakea Ranch is its dedication to being eco-friendly. All of the bungalows have access to their gardens, fruit trees, organic eggs from their chickens, and live orchid plants. The only thing that I should mention that could be a possible complication is the price. The rates vary depending on bungalow and the time of year you plan on visiting. I would visit in autumn when the rates are the lowest for the Cowboy House, but even then the rate for 5 days will set you back $350. Though, I'm not sure I would mind for a bungalow that insanely charming.
  Moving right along, to the Adventure section of this post. I said that I wanted to learn to surf in Hawaii, so finding someone to teach me that is definitely a good start. I should've mentioned this before, but Puakea Ranch is in the region of Kohala, so it would then make the most sense to find an instructor along Kohala's beaches. One of the critically acclaimed beaches in the area is Anaeho'omalu Bay, or "A Bay", offers kayaking and caneoing for those who are interested, but you know I'm looking for surf lessons which this beach offers at their Ocean Sports hut. This beach is obviously beautiful, I mean its a beach in Hawaii, but like other beaches in Hawaii they offer luas and fire dancing when the sun goes down. So that's that.

  Another activity that I think would be fun if your in Hawaii would be to see some of the Petroglyphs, or lava-rock carvings that were etched into the stones by Native Hawaiians. At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is probably your best bet at seeing these guys in their most natural and untouched light. So anyway, that sounds like a fun Hawaiian weekend getaway for now. Stay Lovely!

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Around the World in a Blog Post

When the seasons transition, I find that all I want to do is TRAVEL. I'm not exactly sure why this is, but I know that I have the urge to explore somewhere new and exciting. So, I have listed for you the top 10 vacations that sound the coolest right now(!):
1. Learning to surf in Honolulu, Hawaii
2. Watching the annual performance of Verdi's Aida at the Cairo Opera house in Egypt.
3. Hiking through the Black Forest in Germany to see the Neuschwanstein Castle.
4. Have a picnic at the Villa Borghese Gardens in Rome, Italy
5. Visit China for the mid-autumn Zhongqiu festival, which celebrates the mythical Chinese lunar goddess of immortality. This is also called the Moon Cake festival where round pastries are filled with lotus-seed paste, which represent the radiant moon, and are marked with Chinese symbols for longevity and harmony.
6. Learn calligraphy in Kyoto, Japan
7.Visit Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France
8. Take a cable car down Lombard Street in San Francisco, California
9. Run across the Anzac Bridge in Sydney, Australia
10. Learn how to dance the Tango where it originated- Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Cirque Du Soleil's Mystere

In the whimsical and exciting world Of Cirque Du Soleil , there is the enchanted place we call Mystere. French for mystery, it is no wonder that this fabulous act is about the mystery which we call life. This is more than just a performance, it is an abstract take on life itself. With characters like Les Babes, who represent the "human state: selfish and hungry." There is also La Vache A Lait who brings forth a new beginning, Moha-Samedi, who narrates the story, though mostly in French. There is La Belle who celebrates the beauty of life, The Black Widow who tries to destroy her, The Birds of Prey who represent the competitive spirit of survival, The Double Faces, who hide behind their masks, representing those who are in search of oneself. All of these characters and many more are wonderful in their own special ways, however, my personal favorite is the Red Bird. He is not only the face of Mystere, but also a representation of hope. While he cannot fly he tries evermore, not giving up the hope that someday he will take to the skies. But I'm not the only one who loves this show: "...Mystere never fails to impress us with the way it balances a sense of spectacle with intimate human moments of derring-do and artistry," Las Vegas Review-Journal. "If someone were to dream of a cathedral to the goddesses of earth and rebirth, then dare to build it on the Vegas strip, this would be it," TIME. This show was also given 4.5 out of 5 stars. So when you find yourself in Vegas, make sure to see Mystere at Treasure Island. You will be delighted you did.
Stay Dreamy!
XOXO,

Elle

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Pretty Little Fashionistas

"I'm still here bitches. And I know everything. -A," is the text message Aria, Hannah, Emily, and Spencer recieved after their missing friend was found dead. They don't know who it is , or their intenions, but they intend to destroy them before, A can find out anymore. Aside from the ongoing mystery of their blackmailer, it is no mystery that each girl has her own unique style, and rocks it out! So we have compiled for you some of our favorite fashions from the "it" show of the season, Pretty Little Liars.Catch Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family, Tuesdays at 8/7c.
Stay Stylish!
XOXO,
Elle

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Food Finds

Gooey Butter Cakes have become a new trend, especially in the Saint Louis area, and Gooey Louie's is the reason for it. Kirk and Debbie Steiferman are the masterminds behind this ingenious treat. Started in the Fall of 2006, they have surely come to find that people are Hog Wyld for their gooey butter cakes. They have unbelievable and stunningly delicious flavor combinations including the bacon-maple Hog Wyld flavor, made for Iron Chef Michael Symon, Turtle Park, a tasty comibnation of pecans, caramel, and chocolate to resemble the classic turtle candy. This flavor was inspired by the opening of Forest Park's Turtle Park. Among their other classy flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Raspberry, Blueberry, Key Lime, and of course The Orignal Gooey Butter cake that started it all. They have many more flavors too, including seasonal flavors, and some flavors that are yet to be revealed to the public. So, stop on by to get your fix and find out why they have taken America by storm with their delectable treats.

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Savage Beauty- The Begininning or End to an Era?

No one likes the idea or even the reality of death, but it is something one must come to terms with eventually. Unfortunately, Alexander McQueen was taken into its arms in February of 2010. He once said, "It is important to look at death because it is a part of life. It is a sad thing, melancholy but romantic at the same time. It is the end of a cycle- everything has to end. The cycle of life is positive because it gives room for new things." His work is like an Edgar Allan Poe writing, with influences from different periods of art and different cultural aspects. From what I can gather of his life from interviews with the ones he once knew, and his work, I understand that he was a very mysterious genius. Darkly creative, easily inspired, he captured the world with his art turned fashion. He captivated the crowd in one of his most remarkable fashion shows for his spring/ summer 1999 collection No. 13. Shalom Harlow was the model to watch in this particular show. On his runway was a circular turntable with two specially designed robots on either side of her. when she stopped on this turntable of sorts, it began to spin, and the robots began to sense the being of another creature. As she spun, these robots started to awaken, and as they did they sprayed paint, one yellow, one black. This was one of McQueen's most spectacular moments in a runway show. The question we must ask ourselves now: Is this a beginning or an end for a fashion takeover? The answer is yet to be defined, but with a revolution already started, it is beyond me why we wouldn't divulge further into the risk-taking world that is art-crested fashion.

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Let's Start With Art

Ian Monroe is the St. Louis Art Museum's next big star. His 2011 work is innovative and intriguing, much like that of his inspiration. His Currents 105 exhibition is a unique perspective on St. Louis's Lambert Airport, and the people and things in it. His modern interpretation of a classic art piece that once existed is one of my personal favorites. It's titled ghost, and is an etching. So, if you find yourself in "The Gateway to The West," stop by The St. Louis Art Museum and take a look at his exhibit . It will give you an entertaining perspective on one of life's many forms of transportation- the airport.

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Dead Cat, Kafka On The Shore and The White Ribbon

Even if I almost immediately stared away from it I knew the cat was dead because its innards were gushed out of its body in a dried so-burnt-it-was-white kind of way. I also knew I had to look away from it because I keep photos of cats with funny captions from Cheezburger Network on my phone. My phone has actually no cellular connection so other than its look it really has nothing to do with being the usual communication gadget most people who didn't get the chance to learn the conflict mineral issue in Congo, have. The Congo issue basically says your cellphone parts are most likely mined and produced by raped little girls.

The dead cat reminded me of Haruki Murakami's Kafka On The Shore. Although the dead cat I saw was in certain degrees supposed to be more haunting because not only is no one certain who is most likely to blame for the cat's death, people around the lying cat on the road can't also seem to be bothered to even get it away from the streets so it won't be ran over again. For the third time. Or even none, since who is to say the cat wasn't hammered to blotches by a group of Cebuano twelve-year-olds who took literally Michael Haneke's White Ribbon?

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A Good Year

I was in the kind of coffee shop where the barista tries to up your order of Tall Mocha Latte and you realize there's not that much reason to say No, so you spend extra 10 bucks for something you knew right away you'd feel bad about later.

  And then I started to read. Then thought about Marion Cotillard's substituted line in A Good Year, the movie being screened in this cafe's free TV. Then I realized how wrong I was in railing against this movie. Who would've thought this movie could be this brilliant if we didn't let all the actors talk and just stream running images of Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard?

Then of course I had to watch these ladies in front of me lay-out a photo album. It's partly a scrapbook, because they're using green paper-cut-outs shaped into those kind of round flowers you make as a kid. Those flower shapes that never seem to capture any real flower's shape, if you think about it.

Then I was now watching the barista watch these ladies finish their scrapbook. And then I hear her tell the lady customers, "Wow! That's really good. "

Whatever happened to conflict of interest, I'm happy.

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The Status of Minor Cebuano Addicts

The other night there was a theatre show in celebration for town fiesta a few blocks away from where I was sitting, which might as well be a celebration of everyday, considering it's easier to count the days we're not celebrating one than the opposite. It was presented as mainly about a guy who was doing drugs and felt like a big failure at the end. Then he supposedly realized he was wrong and should've followed his parents' advice.

Now I don't know about you, but if trying to solve this problem is now just being dismissed as to be this simple, I'd have every crap I own ebay-ed pronto so I can totally start shoveling all those druggy cooly thingies down my dried N-methylamphetamin-virgin throat. For if this is now how everyone generally seems to don't give a quack about the day to day insanity-driving struggle to prevent and cope with having a drug-committed kid and the people most likely to be doing drugs are certainly not the most adaptable and cared for among the lot as it is, then you would be crazy not to think you might as well just be doing the thing, right? Unlike the other, at least drugging still might have some remotely even almost impossible chance of height worthy to still look forward to in such circumstances.

Cebuanos, think it through. Or you might end up getting the wrong kind of kids to raise.

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