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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