Sweet treats in Athens

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Ody

Loukoumades, Greece’s version of a doughnut, is best enjoyed warm, sprinkled with cinnamon, doused with honey, with a side of vanilla ice cream, and shared (because one serving is huge). Oh, and yes, with Greek coffee of course. I got to try this pastry in Athens last year. I admit it, it’s nothing like my favorite baklava, but it’s a sweet treat that’s great in the afternoon.

Not so traditional, but delicious all the same was the frozen yoghurt at yogolicious. No, actually, it’s even better. It’s the best frozen yoghurt with toppings I have ever had.

They had rows upon rows toppings – fresh fruits, dried fruits, cereals, chocolate (Maltesers, Kitkat, Kinder Bueno!), sauces, macarons (!), and all things good. Amazing.

Flashback Friday: a knight’s tale in Mainz-Kastel {Easter 2012}

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Ody

During the Easter weekend in 2012, I flew out to Hessen, Germany to celebrate with Cy and her husband, Uwe. I’m so happy they took me in for a few days. I really enjoyed the cozy and delicious dinner and bonding over DSDS (the German version of Idol). On Easter Sunday, instead of driving to Cologne, we drove to Mainz-Kastel to visit a Medieval Festival – the deciding factors being a Google search and the weather forecast. My first time to go to a Medieval Festival, I was excited and kind of wished I had something Middle Age-y to wear.

We all know about Ferris Wheels, but this manually operated one is really cool

aaaah roasted pig!

This roasted pig sandwich was my brunch. I had to compare it to the Filipino lechon, of course. This one was juicy, but a bit too salty for me. The bread nicely complimented the saltiness, though. Very filling.

that’s entertainment

playing with fire

this was my favorite performance. bagpipes, drums and dancing

I couldn’t help taking a shot (pun intended) at being Katniss. Or Hawkeye.

Me & Cy

Tim & Uwe

Play that funky music, white boy.

Thursday inspiration – Stockholm edition

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Ody

Found inside the Nordiska museet in Stockholm.

Wednesday Wishlist

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Ody

I admit, I went a little crazy with my spending after my birthday and since I’m saving for a big trip for the end of this year, I have to really track my spending and live frugally. It’s a practice in restraint, but you know what I like to do? I go online, look at the goods, click ‘Add to cart’ and then close the tab. It works for me! I get the rush of acquiring the items by adding them to a cart, but by closing the tab, I avoid buyer’s remorse and the regret that goes with looking at your bill. That said, I loved looking at the following items which I would love take with me while traveling.

Tory Burch for Fitbit Metal Hinged Bracelet: You might have noticed how much I love to walk here,here, here, and here, and I like to track my steps. Fitbit keeps me active and hitting my daily 10,000-step target is one of life’s little triumphs.

Another way to stay healthy during trips is to keep hydrated. S’well water bottles have nice designs, but the Wood Collection is special because for every Wood bottle sold, the brand’s partner, American Forests, will plant one tree. My favorite parts? S’well bottles keeps your drinks cold for 24 hours, hot for 12, the bottles don’t condensate (condensation is always a hassle for me when I have to put a bottle in my bag), and – get this – 25oz holds an entire bottle of wine. Sold!

The Rags2Riches Kena Tote is a fashionable and eco-ethical bag that I would love to carry with me while getting lost in little side streets. How amazing would this look on travel pics? What I love about Rags2Riches is they upcycle scrap cloth, organic materials and indigenous fabrics, and providing jobs and training to artisans in poor communities in the Philippines. Read more about them here.

What items would you love to take with you on your next trip?

Portugal product packaging

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Ody

Lisbon, which I visited in October 2012, has beautiful people, delicious meals, and breathtaking views. It’s a very hilly city, but with every uphill walk, the view is worth it. What surprised me though, was the all the beautiful product packaging I found there. I wanted to buy everything I saw, but with limited luggage allowance, I made do with taking photos of all the cool cans, boxes, and bottles.

Portugal product packaging

Flashback Friday: colors & chocolate at M&M

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Ody

{Back in March 2012, I went to London, one of my favorite cities and got caught in a sugar rush at M&M’s World}

We went to M&M’s World in London under the pretense that it’s for our 2 year-old companion Yssa’s entertainment. More than an hour later, it was apparent that all of us grown-ups had just as much fun, maybe even more, as Yssa. Who wouldn’t cheer up with so much color and sweetness?

While my favorite M&M’s flavor is peanut butter (I think it also might be the most fattening), I was on a mission to find the dark chocolate variety. I discovered them in New York and must have bought them at Duane Reade or CVS (seriously, I love drugstores). My friends and I munched the chocolate and Combos while having wine (we so classy). We loved the dark choc M&M’s and thought would find them at the airport, but couldn’t. Sadly they weren’t available in London yet*.

With 4 floors filled with merchandise, sweets and the lovable mascots that make for great photo opps, M&M’s world is like a small amusement park. For a chocolate junkie like me, it’s better than Disneyland.

I really loved this wall with 22 colors of chocolate candies.

I couldn’t help filling a bag with my favorite colors plus white because according to the Official Colour Analyser, white is my color mood.

Festive! Wouldn’t mind celebrating with a bottle of that 🙂

Yssa approves

Red looking very official

recreating The Beatles crossing Abbey Road! so cute!
side note: I passed Abbey Road twice by bus, but couldn’t quite figure out where this famous crossing is. Another excuse to go back to my beloved LDN 🙂

M&M’s World London

1 Swiss Court
Westminster, London WC2H 7
(in Leicester Square)

Store Hours:

Monday-Saturday: 10am-Midnight
Sunday: Noon-6pm

* one week later, my colleague went to New York and got me a big bag of M&M’s Dark Chocolate ❤

Thursday inspiration

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Ody

I loved seeing these vintage tin cans, especially the Johnson’s Baby Powder (I guess the other Johnson wasn’t born yet at that time), through the gridded window. Something old while on the way to try something new in Edinburgh.

Wednesday Wishlist

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Ody

This delicate necklace with a cutout map charm from Seattle’s Travel Shop is a cute and simple way to show your love for travel. I’m into gold accessories right now, and I love this.

RedEnvelope markets this as a toiletry bag “perfect for the man on the go” but if it keeps things organized while traveling, looks sleek and sophisticated, and made of beautiful leather, it is also perfect for me.

I’m searching for the perfect white blazer, and this one from Elizabeth and James seems perfectly upgrade-worthy.

Tile is a revolutionary little gadget that you can attach to anything. Its GPS and iPhone app can keep track if you lose it. Brrrrilliant.

So tell me, what items are you wishing for? Got any cool {window} shopping tips for me?

Sunday Song of the Day: Budapest

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Ody

One of my favorite things at home is my shower radio. I start my days with a shower and singing along to R&B songs. And with this confession, I also want to share the Sunday Song of the Day, Budapest by George Ezra, along with a photo I took two years ago in – yes, that’s right – Budapest. Have a great Sunday, everyone!