A Happy New Year in Holland

Beau and I are in Holland visiting his family for the week. The picture below is of the beachhouse where beau's parents are and we are staying right next door. How cute is it, right?

Today we are off to Amsterdam to visit his friends from college and do a little exploring. I must arrive home with some little Dutch clogs for our backyard to plant flowers in.

Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar {happy new year in Dutch}! See you in 2011!

How funny, I did spellcheck on this post and everything came up highlighted, even the spellcheck in Dutch!

xoxo~ Becca

an art gallery? a pastry shop in Paris!

I had a moment this weekend where I thought, "ooooo, I wish I was in Paris!"

OK the truth is, it probably flashes in my head two or three times a day. {sigh} So while researching for an upcoming event at work, I stumbled upon this amazing place in Paris!

La Patisserie des Reves.The bakery looks different then all of the other beautiful Paris bakeries. The space almost looks like an art gallery with the

pastries spread through out the space as an exhibit.

Wish I was the girl in the photo above in the cute pink flats. I would be torn over the macaroon or the pretty pink puffy pastry.

What is this? A beautiful french cupcake?:) The man behind the gorgeous spot is Philippe Conticini. He wrote a cookbook called Sensations Nutella, all about items made with Nutella. Now that sounds delightful as well. Oui! Next time I'm in Paris, I'll have to stop by!

Day dreaming is great! xoxo~Becca

It's Been Awhile

Hello! Hola! Hoi!

I apologize for my break in blogging. I have had a crazy few weeks of travelling. February started with a trip to the Netherlands, a wedding in Mexico, a wine and food festival in South Beach. I love travelling but I have really enjoyed my weekend in D.C., laying on my couch, catching up with friends. I am back and will be blogging away on Urban Flip Flops. It was a like a little break for awhile. .....tonight the Oscars are on! I can't wait to catch up tomorrow about all of the winners, dresses and glamour. Oooo, wish I was travelling to L.A.!

{an afternoon beer in Amsterdam}

{Beautiful tulips at a market in the Netherlands}

{The beautiful newlyweds dancing the night away. Mariana and Blake Mastalir}

{Me and my beau at the wedding reception in Mexico}

{The amazing wedding reception}

{BAM! Emeril at the Food Festival}

{Me at the France tent. I had a great day tasting!}

xoxo~Becca

Cupcakes=Love

Yes, I have a little obsession with cupcakes. The little cakes are so pretty and comforting. Who doesn't want a pretty little cake as a treat. Well, yesterday when I saw Style Me Pretty's post on Enjoy! Cupcakes in California, my heart stopped for a second and started to beat really fast. I'm in love!

Enjoy Cupcakes is a great story of a woman who quit her day job to create her dream....a bakery! I have had this dream for many years as well. Seeing these pictures made me think...hmmmmm...event planning or cupcake baking;) Above is the Cupcake Trailer you can rent for events. How cute is it!

The bakery is connected to a wine tasting room with cupcake flavors like: Chocolate Blackberry Syrah, Pomegranate Meyer Lemon Chardonnay and Cherry Vanilla Merlot. Ooo la la, I would love a cupcake and a glass of vino!

Pink Champagne Cupcakes! Need I say more!

This is the inside of the adorable airstream trailer you can rent for parties. Absolutely in my event file now! Now I need to get to California for a party and use this soon.

Check out the beautiful video that they have created with the owner. It is beautiful. Oh my, I'm craving a cupcake now! The beautiful California sun, wine and cupcakes. I need to visit Enjoy soon!

xoxo~Becca

Holland

Last weekend I joined Beau on a quick trip to his homeland...the Netherlands. While it may have been a quick trip, it was a busy, packed weekend that felt more like a full week and not a few days. I feel like we did so much and if I described everything to you minute by minute this post would get a little too long. I thought I would outline a few little favorites of the trip! It was a wonderful trip, a cute fun country! I'm excited for my next trip there!!!!

1. Business Class - I got bumped up to Business Class on my way over. Champagne, cheese plates, port, a chair that massaged my back. Business Class abroad is amazing!!!!

2. Tulips - OK, it sounds so cliche, but it is true! There really truly are tulips all over this country. Even during a snowy, rainy weekend, we were able to buy gorgeous fresh tulips for 1/2 the price as in the states.

3. Meeting Beau's friends - It was so nice to finally meet the college guy friends. Dinner with 4 Dutch guys. OK, I really do not know if they are talking about me in front of my face, but I am starting to understand at least the subject of the conversation. Hey, it is a start.

4. Red Light District - Not a really a favorite, more of a strange experience that I will remember. I found it very absurd that these girls dance in windows all day long, weird absurd, strange.

5. French Fries - yum. French Fries on the street with curry ketchup. Love!

6. Hotel School in the Hague - We stopped by Beau's college in the Hague and got a little tour. I loved seeing where Beau spent many years learning about restaurants, bars, the hospitality field. It is always interesting to see where people spent their college lives. A step into their past.

7. A day in Amsterdam - Beau's best friend John was our tour guide for the day. It was a relaxing day of wandering the streets, taking a canal tour, coffees, snacks and just a nice day out!

8. Boat Houses - It is so cool the amount of neat boat houses there were in Amsterdam. I would love to plan a party on one!

9. Bikes - I was amazed that even in the middle of a snowy rainy day everybody was still biking along. On our way into the city we drove by many school kids that were biking from home in the middle of the pouring rain. There are parking lot size ramps for bikes instead of cars.

10. The trip - everything was fun and wonderful. It was so nice to see Beau's life in Holland. It was fun to hang out with his parents and friends in the country he grew up in!

11. Stroopwafles - Yum! Theses little waffle cookies filled with caramel are just amazing coming right off of the grill!

12. My little coffee set I bought! Such a cute find!

...oh yes, and little Melina. Beau's cousin's little girl Melina. She was adorable even though I didn't quite understand what she was saying. Her dutch is way better then mine! I think I may be learning from her level:)

xoxo~ Becca

a quick trip abroad

I am off for a few days in the Netherlands! It was a very last minute trip planned a week ago and I am so excited to be here with Beau. I must buy a little pair of wooden clogs before I leave! I would love to plant some tulips in them on my windowsill this Spring.

I can't wait to post pictures when I return. Have a great weekend!

xoxo

xoxoxo

Terrain @ Styers

After a long stressful weekend (last week) I decided it was best for me to head out of DC. I packed up my stuff and hopped on the train to Philly for the day. My dear friend Christa and her hubby Jerry were so sweet to allow me to tag along on their holiday filled day at Terrain. I had no idea what I was getting into.

Terrain at Styers is the amazing home/garden/lifestyle store that the fabulous creators of Anthropologie opened outside of Philadelphia. Terrain is way more then a store! I had thought we were going to a nursery, ok, whatever. Terrain was amazing! It had lightly snowed the evening before, so as we walked up to the store, the Christmas Trees for sale were covered in white and smelled like the Holiday Season. There was a fire pit with blankets on benches next to the trees. We found out later that we had just missed the afternoon marshmallow roast! (next time).

The Poinsettia house was filled with multiple types of poinsettia's, orchids, hydrangeas with a mix of fancy gardening tools. My eye is always drawn to the flowers and the fixtures thinking, "How could I use this for a party?". The fancy gardening tools....since I do not have a yard, nope, not now.

The main store had displays of bath items, cooking supplies, light fixtures, stationary, trees, flowers, it was gorgeous. If I had a house I would want to come here and buy everything to decorate with and plant around the yard. I settled on two small paper white bulbs and a snow pine scented candle. The display of bulbs was so impressive compared to buying them at the local Home Depot. The Voluspa candle makes me feel like I have a real pine tree instead of a 3ft tinsle tree.

At the back of the store is where the impressive cafe stands. We grabbed some coffee and cookies but I was very intrigued by the organic yummy brunch menu. Next time I visit Christa and I are totally driving there for a dinner. I believe there is an Anthropologie across the street! hello!

So if you are around Philly make it a point to visit Terrain. It was a wonderful place! SO much more then a nursery.....something for everybody!

xoxo

I want to start but apologizing for my delay in blogging. For the next few weeks I may have a few delays on the blog front. I also may be changing the blog name. No worries, I will fill you in if I do! I am going through quite a lot of flip flops. I'll post soon. Happy Holidays!

road trip

This morning I am on the road, off to Connecticut. Thanksgiving 2009 will be spent at my Grandparents in Torrington CT with my parents and my sisters. I haven't seen my grandparents in a couple of years and I am really looking forward to it. I will be on the road bright and early to meet my parents in Virginia. It has also been a few years since I've been on a road trip with my parents. Five hours to Connecticut, lots of traffic and I can already hear my Dad telling me to get off of my iPhone (one of the best Christmas gifts HE ever got me)! I feel like I will be back in high school already....and I kind of love it. As we get on the road, in a plane, on a train, here are a few of my travel essentials that I think are...well...essential.

*Magazines - magazines galore! I have packed my latest issue of Vogue, In Style, Vanity Fair. Lots of Hours to indulge in fashion magazines.

*Comfy clothes - OK, not sweatpants, but come on, stilettos and skinny tight jeans do not sound comfy in the back seat. Cute converse and jeans, yes, comfy and cute.

*Treats - Chocolate almonds, licorice, something sweet to satisfy my sweet tooth during the long trip.

* H20 - TOTALLY!

* New Tunes - I downloaded some new music this week, some holiday tunes, some mixes from Friends. Whether I'm belting out tunes on my own in the car or I am falling asleep with some relaxing songs, podcasts, audio books, a must.

*A Cuddle - a big pashmina, a blanket, maybe a scarf. Something to cuddle up with and get some zzzzz is essential.

....my phone. OK, I know, I am obsessed. I need to go to Iphone Addiction support group, ha. Hey, I have turned off my work phone and work email for the next 5 days and CAN NOT wait! At least I can catch up with some personal emails on my phone. Nothing like 5 hours to reconnect with besties.

Have a safe trip! xoxo

I want to get away

Maybe it could be because it is Monday or maybe I just want a get away. Either way, I am finding myself dreaming of a get away. I don't think these fall in any type of budget, well I can dream. dream with me....

Napa - I would taste wine all day, eat nice beautiful meals, read a book cuddled by the fireplace. I have always longed to go to Wine Country in California. These hotels look beautiful! Auberge du Soleil and Les Mars Hotel

South Africa - RIGHT! I know. If my private jet could come and pick me to go to the Molori Safari Lodge! Oh my. This place looks so amazing!

Miami - I have always wanted to stay at the Raleigh Hotel. The old school glamour makes me delighted! Check out the gorgeous pool! Don't you imagine hollywood stars laying out with a cocktail in the 50's.

Jamaica - Um, the private houses along the cliffs, sign me for a stay! The view of the water from your bed! I love. The Island Outpost at the Caves.

Ok....who wants to join me?

xoxo

Happy Thoughts on Hump Day

I'm having an interesting Wednesday. I had a quick visit in NYC on Monday and took the train back yesterday morning into work. In a way I feel like it is Monday, honestly, not sure. In the midst of the chaotic office I have taken a few moments to browse some sites that have made me happy. Hope they add a little fun to your Wednesday!

Heart Headbands at ban.do..... MUST HAVE! How fun are they! Screaming from the site for me to buy one.

Smitten Kitchen posted an amazing recipe for Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats. I might have to try these out and bring them on my Thanksgiving Day road trip next week.

I am absolutely obsessed with wedding and engagement photography as you have probably figured out by now. I simply LOVE this picture posted on Green Wedding Shoes. The LOVE sign is so wonderful. I mean that is what all of the photos are about, Love, yes! I know, I am a hopeless romantic.

Kimberly Wilson is in Paris for 2 weeks and I am loving reading her blog about her adventures. She found vintage Chanel at the Paris Flea Market yesterday. Oh, it is a fun Wednesday daydream!

....wishing as usual I was in Paris! xoxo

NYC weekend - cute finds, sore feet

My trip to New York City this weekend was wonderful! It was a short trip but packed with fun. Marathon Weekend in the Big Apple is always tiring but thrilling. There are so many stores I want to explore, places I want to dine, friends I want to see. Unfortunately the ultimate reason I am there is to run 26.2 miles and that does not call for a jammed packed visit, that calls for relaxing my feet. Oh well, I managed to do both! I had a blast and finished the race in 4 hrs 57 min 13 sec.

The weekend started with dinner at db bistro. YUM! Daniel Boulud is so wonderful! (I'm looking into a catering job in Palm Beach at one of his places, wish me luck!). The service was great, my butternut squash gnocchi were melt in your mouth and I loved that everybody around us was speaking French! So great! As we walked back to our hotel I found delight in a new Magnolia Bakery location and had to stop in for my favorite Vanilla Vanilla cupcake!!!!

Saturday I headed to the expo where I was as usual, overwhelmed and excited. Thousands of runners the day before marathon day in one place is exciting and nervous. I discovered the booth for the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon and left with a complimentary tiara as well as my race bag! I am marking my calendar for March 6, 2010. An all women's 1/2 marathon in Disney World, fun!

The rest of Saturday Elizabeth and I spent in Soho browsing all of the fabulous stores. I felt like a little girl in a candy shop at Kate Spade. Everything in her new line is fun, pretty and playful. I was obsessssssed with the jewelry and the shoes! A few truffles at Vosges in flavors like balsamico, red chili and bacon tied me over till lunch! (only on marathon weekend would I buy truffles for myself). Lunch at Mercer Kitchen was great people watching during Halloween day. All the stores in Soho opened themselves up to Trick or Treaters. So cute to see dressed up children in fancy boutiques. I treated myself to a fun Barbie Malibu Beach scented candle at Jonathon Adler, even though I was dying for the pillows!

Saturday's shopping trip ended with a trip to Topshop. OK, I hadn't been since I lived abroad in London and was completely excited! After searching through the amazing collection of sequins shirts, platform shoes and lots of flirty short dresses, I checked out with my fun new Owl Earrings and a gold quilted purse (oh so Chanel, but not yet! Still dreaming). After shopping I had a great pasta dinner with Emily (almost a tradition!) and ended the night with a fabulous bubble bath and some sleep.

Sunday I was up bright and early to catch the ferry to Staten Island. This year was interesting. I was nervous but reallllllly so excited. I had been really stressed out about running and once I decided to I was ready, I was. All by myself I found my spot on the grass and did some stretching and reading and lots of texting (love updating during the run!). I crossed the start line at about 10:30am to the sounds of Frank Sinatra singing "NY NY". I had tears in my eyes and felt ready to go! Crossing the Verrazano Bridge was amazing!!!! About mile 8 I was in Brooklyn and heard Black Eyed Peas "Tonight's the Night" streaming from a brownstones windows. All the runners and spectators were dancing, jumping and singing, really cool. I was all smiles from then until I ran across the bridge to one of the greatest cities in the world...Manhattan! Mile 17! It is an experience like no other . You can hear the supporters even before you cross the bridge, the music, the cheers! I saw Emily and did a little stretching (And posing!) and then I saw Elizabeth at mile 18. SO NICE to see familiar faces. At about mile 20 I started to ache, my knee started to hurt but I wouldn't stop. I stopped and stretched at mile 24 and didn't think I could even walk but I slowly got going and ran my way to the finish line with a big smile and tears on my face. I was done!

THANK YOU ALL for your support! It was my 4th marathon, I say it's my last for awhile...but who am I kidding. I'm proud I did it. It was a great weekend in NYC and a great race across the line in Central Park!

xoxo

happy thoughts on hump day!

I saw this Marie Antoinette inspiration board posted by Jessica on Wedding Aces and LOVED it. ooooo, I wish I could have a lavish birthday party and dress up like Marie! I would have pink hair and certainly have a bird in it or something crazy and cool like she would wear.

Last week I helped wonderful Elizabeth at Pineapple Productions with a wedding and helped her set up a beautiful dessert buffet she had designed. On the table were french macarons from Michel Patisserie. Maybe this year for my birthday I will have a tower of these little bites of heaven instead of a cupcake. The chocolate caramel was to die for! I dream of having an internship or a part time or I would even be a cashier at Laduree in Paris! That is a dream.

Happy thoughts....it's the middle of the week!

xoxo