musings Archives – Lost in Wanderland

Musings

Holiday Season Bucket List

December 4, 2021

It’s 60 degrees outside, but it’s also December, which means my holiday lights are up, there’s a little silver tinsel tree set up in my room, and I have sparkling snowflakes and gingerbread on the brain. In other words, it’s time to kick off my holiday season bucket list. If there’s not a winter wonderland outside, I’ll manifest one—or at least surround myself with glitzy decor, festive tunes, and holiday sweets. Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beauty and festivity of the season. (I’ll be celebrating a season of coziness, glitter, excessive sugar, and goofy nostalgia.)

Go to a holiday market

Twinkling lights, stalls bustling with excited shoppers, the scent of hot chocolate and roasting nuts—nothing says seasonal cheer like a classic holiday market. The Germans and Swiss really know how to do holiday festivity, if you ask me. With snowy forests and mountains and quaint villages, a winter wonderland is practically a given. Yes, this is a bit of a stereotype, but the lovely holiday tradition of open-air winter street markets does come from Germany. A true German Christmas market is on my bucket list, but cities around the world have picked up the tradition, and you really don’t have to celebrate Christmas to enjoy one (just winter festivity and shopping). They’re also great sources for unique gifts—which reminds me that it’s about time to start my usual manic rush of holiday shopping.

Illustration by Tatiana Davidova

Watch classic holiday movies

Perhaps a controversial topic to mention at holiday get-togethers. Is Love Actually the best Christmas movie? (Please don’t hate me: I’m rather tired of it.) Is It’s a Wonderful Life too long and depressing? (Just bring the Kleenex.) I don’t pretend to be an expert, so I wouldn’t dare to suggest a be-all-end-all list of the best holiday movies. However, my holiday season isn’t complete without watching the classic Rankin/Bass animated specials from the ’60s and ’70s (especially Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman, but there are several other delightfully weird slash slightly dubious ones). Also on my must-watch list: A Charlie Brown Christmas (obviously), The Bishop’s Wife (because: Cary Grant), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the 1966 one—don’t even talk to me about the new versions), The Polar Express (pure nostalgia), and White Christmas. Yes, I like the oldies.

Here’s my full watchlist for the season:

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
The Polar Express (2004)
White Christmas (1954)
The Holiday (2006)
Prancer (1989)
A Christmas Story (1983)

See the holiday lights

What’s the holiday season without a little sparkle? While I shudder to think what the electric bills are for houses that go all out with holiday lights, I love to search out the best displays. From the lovably tacky (I’m looking at you, blow-up Frosty) to the picture-perfect gingerbread to the … extravagant (hello, coordinated light show), there’s a little bit of everything, and it’s always fun to see what people come up with. The Country Club Plaza lights are always a classic in the KC area, but I’m also planning to do a little sleuthing to find the top twinkle showings around KC, so stay tuned.

Bake holiday sweets

The holiday season is a playground for those of us with a sweet tooth. Or perhaps the Land of Sweets. But I love making holiday treats almost as much as eating them, so I usually make little gift bags for people—mostly as an excuse to do a lot of holiday baking. It’s the perfect reason to turn the TV to a beloved holiday special, break out the apron and cookie cutters (or at least a lot of sugar), and send the scent of spices and baking cookies wafting throughout the house. I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to holiday yummies (that sent me down a mouth-watering rabbit hole); I just have to choose which recipes to make. How many cookies is too many cookies? (And don’t forget to set some out for Santa!)

Illustration by Natalia Hubbert

Send out holiday cards

As convenient as email and texting are, I miss snail mail sometimes (plus, I love pretty stationery). While I don’t quite have the time or patience to make cards by hand like I did as a kid, I try to send out holiday cards to friends and relatives every year. I have the excuse to visit a stationery shop, and it’s a fun way to spread the seasonal spirit. After all, who doesn’t like getting (non-bill) mail?

Watch The Nutcracker ballet

This has become a holiday tradition for me and my mom, and I look forward to it every year despite the fact that I’ve seen it a billion times by now (that’s an exact number). If you’re in the Kansas City area, the KC Ballet does a wonderful performance of The Nutcracker. I realize going to the ballet isn’t necessarily accessible to everyone, but if you can swing it, it’s a delightfully festive holiday event. Based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, this whimsical fantasy has all the holiday vibes. Cozy German Christmas scenes, candy palaces, glittering costumes, giant rat kings (no?)—what’s not to love? As German literature typically is, it’s both bizarre and charming. And really, what’s Christmas without the sugarplum fairy?

Make a gingerbread house

My friends and I had a gingerbread house making competition once (circa seventh grade), and well, let’s just say our team’s creation was dubbed the “Katrina” gingerbread house (yes, the joy of thirteen-year-olds’ tasteful jokes). Turns out frosting doesn’t always make the best construction material? Anyway, I’ve since discovered the beauty of gingerbread house kits. Anyone who says that’s cheating has clearly never tried to make gingerbread from scratch. I always like the Trader Joe’s kits, which are cheap and easy, though most grocery stores carry kits of some kind. Target also has some fun and inventive options, and of course, there’s always Amazon). If you’re feeling ambitious—or masochistic—here are instructions for making everything from scratch.

Illustration by Zenina

Go ice skating (outside)

Skating on a picturesque pond, à la Charlie Brown, isn’t quite as charming as it appears in the movies. However, there’s an undeniable magic to bundling up (or not—thank you, global warming) and gliding around an outdoor ice rink with other merry souls. I personally like city rinks with eclectic people-watching and festive tunes playing, even if they do tend to get a bit crowded. So I’ll be waiting for a day when I can actually wear a cozy scarf and then hitting the ice to see if I can still skate without crashing.

Drink homemade hot chocolate

On a cold, blustery winter day, nothing tastes better than a steaming mug of hot chocolate. While I’m more of a coffee person myself, there’s no denying that hot chocolate is a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit (besides: chocolate. Duh). Granted, it’s still 60 degrees outside around here, but I’ll pretend it feels like a winter wonderland. I’m usually lazy and use a premade mix, but this year I think I’ll try a homemade version, or maybe even a dairy-free option. Sip away!

Illustration by katarinochka

December 4, 2021

Musings

9 Gothic Horror Movies for Spooky Season

October 10, 2021

gothic horror movies scary spooky haunted house

It’s finally October, which means festive fall activities, cozy days, and of course, ghost stories. Let’s get this disclaimer out of the way: I don’t do gore or slasher flicks. If that’s your thing — cool, but you’re not going to find that on this list. My brand of Halloween horror is of the gothic ilk: eerie tales, spooky haunted mansions, ghostly goings-on, fog and mystery and dark secrets. That might not be in keeping with current slasher trends, but there are plenty of delightfully gothic tales, classic and modern, to chill your blood. So without further ado, here are the gothic horror movies I’ll be watching to get into the spooky spirit.

Crimson Peak (2015)

In this Victorian-era dark romance from Guillermo Del Toro, a young American heiress and author (Mia Wasikowska) marries an English baronet (Tom Hiddleston) and moves into the ancestral home that he and his sister (Jessica Chastain) live in, a looming, decaying mansion (of course). Like any good gothic story, gruesome ghostly figures and dark secrets soon begin to seep out of the woodwork.

Image courtesy IMDb

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Nothing screams “Halloween” like the headless horseman (and Tim Burton), right? Based on Washington Irving’s classic ghost tale, Sleepy Hollow tells the story of a New York City constable (Johnny Depp) who travels to an odd little town to investigate the rampages of a ghostly headless horseman — and ends up with a lot more terror, murder, and secrecy than he bargained for. Yes, it’s a little campy, but the eerie mood and dramatic hauntings are perfect for a cozy October night.

The Woman in Black (2012)

A gloomy, remote village, an isolated manor house, and a vengeful ghost — it doesn’t get much more gothic than that. In Edwardian England, a young lawyer (Daniel Radcliffe) travels to a village on the marshes to deal with the estate of a recently deceased woman. Once there, however, he’s met with uncanny happenings in the old manor house and legends of a sinister figure preying on the children of the town. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, this dark tale is bound to send a chill up your spine.

The Awakening (2011)

In 1920s England, a writer (Rebecca Hall) who exposes fraudulent spiritualists is called to investigate a supposedly haunted boys’ boarding school. Intending to set to rest any idea of ghosts, she ends up questioning her skeptical beliefs — and uncovering deeply buried secrets. To be honest, this movie is part spooky ghost story and part dark mystery, but the eerie setting at an isolated boys’ school and the ghostly happenings give it a distinctly gothic mood (and there are a few heart-stopping moments, never fear).

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

Based on the novel by Shirley Jackson (a master of the horror tale), this is the quintessential haunted house story, infused with Jackson’s classic sense of dread and mystery. The Netflix limited series (one of many Haunting of Hill House remakes) follows five siblings, both as children exploring the creepy Hill House and as adults, returning years after tragedy forces them to flee the house. As they dig into the sinister mansion, it seems the family slowly begins to go mad — or is terrorized by the house itself and its dark history.

The Orphanage (2007)

Is there anything spookier than a former orphanage? In this Spanish film, a woman (Belén Rueda) returns to the orphanage where she grew up — an imposing seaside manor house — with her husband and young son, Simón. Simón soon makes a mysterious friend who wears a sack mask — and then he disappears. The search for Simón unearths the tragic story of the orphanage, a dark past that continues to haunt the house and its residents.

Image courtesy of IMDb

House of Usher (1960)

No one does horror quite like Edgar Allan Poe. Based on the 1839 short story “The Fall of the House of Usher,” this eerie tale follows a young man venturing into the bleak, swamp-surrounded mansion of his fiancée’s family and features a possible cursed bloodline, likely madness, and certainly sinister plotting. The film is part of the so-called Corman-Poe cycle, a series of eight films created by director Roger Corman based off Poe stories (any of which are perfect for Halloween viewing), and features the master of old-time film horror, Vincent Price, as a deliciously deranged Roderick Usher. While modern viewers might find the dramatic acting a little over the top, there’s no denying the spine-tingling weirdness and macabre thrill of a good Poe story (and seriously, do yourself a favor and watch some Vincent Price).

The Haunted Palace (1963)

Ok, I just couldn’t resist including another Poe-Corman-Price one here (though The Haunted Palace is actually based more on an H.P. Lovecraft story and has a more supernatural/fantasy vibe). Plus, what’s Halloween without a witch story? In 1765, the residents of a Massachusetts town suspect the owner of the castle looming over their village of being a warlock and burn him at the stake — and he, of course, vows revenge. In 1875, the warlock’s descendant and his wife arrive in town, and strange things begin to happen. Has the warlock possessed his descendant to carry out his revenge?

The Changeling (1980)

In the time-honored tradition of haunted mansions and creepy ghost children, The Changeling tells the story of a widowed composer (George C. Scott) who moves into a Victorian mansion and is soon tormented by spooky happenings. Upon investigating, he uncovers a twisted past linked to the death of a little boy in the house nearly a century before. Like many movies from the ’80s, this one is a bit hokey, but it still creates a delightfully eerie web of dark secrets and things that go bump in the night — and apparently, it’s based on a true story from film writer Russell Hunter (make of that what you will).

And because part of the fun of Halloween is the nostalgia of childhood trick-or-treating and spooks, I would be remiss not to mention a few classic Halloween favorites, even if they’re not exactly gothic horror movies. We may not be ten years old anymore (at least, I’m not…usually), but you’re never too old to wait for the Great Pumpkin with Linus in It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) or battle an evil witch curse (and see Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker at their zany best) with Hocus Pocus (1993). I also love to take a trip to the crazy charm of the 24/7, 365 Halloween world of Halloweentown (1998) and, of course, the deliciously macabre home of The Addams Family (1991).

Happy spooky season!

October 10, 2021

Javaholic/ Musings

Coffee History: From goats to hipster coffeeshops

September 26, 2021

World map, 17th century, Image courtesy of Ancient World Maps.

• quawah (Yemen, for wine) • kahveh (Turkish) • koffie (Dutch) • coffee (English) •

Years ago, a great power watched humans and decided that the race was sluggish and dissatisfied. So it presented a gift, a steaming flask of brown liquid, and a seed, and showed how to grow and harvest the first coffee plant.

All right, maybe not. Allow me my fantasies for a moment, ok? Coffee may not have been gifted by the gods, but it does have a long and complex history. In fact, the story of how our current cup of java came to be reaches back thousands of years, starting in ancient Africa and the Middle East. If you’ll allow me a moment of coffee history nerdery…

Image courtesy of Coffee Crossroads, adapted from All About Coffee by William H. Ukers.

From goats to Arab coffeehouses

Long before Starbucks, coffee was mixed with animal fat and eaten (think ancient PowerBar). Legend tells of an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi who discovered his goats bursting with energy after eating the berries from a coffee shrub. Kaldi took these berries to local monks, and the monks created the first coffee drink, making use of this miracle energy source for stamina during long prayers. Whether or not this tale is true, wild coffee plants were likely used by nomadic tribes in Africa for thousands of years. Around the thirteenth century, Arabs began to roast coffee beans, and the public coffeehouse, known as qahveh khaneh, boomed not only as a drinking spot but also, crucially, as a hub for social interaction, business, and exchange of ideas. Word of the popular beverage, sometimes known as “wine of Araby,” spread quickly.

Though Arab nations kept a closely guarded monopoly on the coffee trade for many years, the trend made its way to Europe in the fifteenth century. A Venetian merchant brought coffee to Europe in 1615, and the Dutch followed with the first coffee plant in Europe in 1616 and the first European-owned plantations in Sri Lanka in 1616 and Java (Indonesia) in 1696. The coffee trade soon boomed with the French in the Caribbean, the Spanish in Central America, and the Portuguese in Brazil.

Image courtesy of Pixabay.

Voyage to the New World

This path has been far from straight, wrought instead with ambition and subterfuge. For instance, in 1723 a French naval officer named Gabriel de Clieu stole a seedling from a coffee plant gifted to King Louis XIV by the mayor of Amsterdam and smuggled it to Martinique, launching the French coffee trade in the Americas. Brazil joined the fray in 1727 through Colonel Francisco de Mello Palheta, with seeds said to have been smuggled through a bouquet given to Palheta by the wife of the governor of French Guiana. And in the soon-to-be United States, coffee rose as the drink of choice after the Boston Tea Party, when tea came to be considered “unpatriotic.”

Coffee as we know it today came onto the scene in the nineteenth century. John and Charles Arbuckle began selling bags of pre-roasted beans in the 1860s, and it became particularly popular with cowboys in the American West. Other well-known coffee producers also broke ground in the 1800s, including James Folger, Maxwell House, and Hill Brothers. The 1960s saw the spark of the specialty coffee movement, and the first Starbucks was established in Seattle in 1971. And now, of course, there’s a hipster coffee shop on nearly every city block. If Kaldi and his goats could have seen that coming…

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Miracle brew or dangerous concoction?

Over the years, coffee has run into many a controversy — both as a health risk and as a supposedly “satanic” beverage — from a 1511 ban in Mecca due to health concerns to 17th-century claims in London that it caused impotence. Allegedly, the case was even brought to Pope Clement VIII in the 1600s; upon tasting the beverage, however, the pope enjoyed coffee so much that he gave it official papal approval! It has also long been linked to slavery and colonization, as most of the European coffee trade had its base in colonial plantations worked by slaves (this issue continues today with exploited coffee farmers in many countries, a concern evident in the rising fair trade and equal exchange coffee movement). Yet with an estimated 2.5 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide each day, it’s clear that there’s something about this brew that we just can’t stay away from.

*This post was previously published on my earlier blog, Beanopia, in 2014.*

Sources:
How Coffee Influenced History, NPR.org
The Caffeinated History of Coffee, PBS.org
National Coffee Association

5 Historical Attempts to Ban Coffee, Mental Floss

September 26, 2021

Kansas City/ Musings

Current Obsessions: March

March 3, 2020

skillshare kansas city ballet nespresso susanna kearsley

Currently Reading: The Winter Sea

I recently discovered Susanna Kearsley’s books, and I’ve been moving through them at record speed since. As with the rest of her books I’ve read so far, I couldn’t put The Winter Sea down. A beautiful story flipping between modern-day and early 18th-century Scotland, it transported me across oceans and back in time (and quickly boosted Scotland to the top of my travel bucket list). I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a good love story, but this one didn’t feel cheesy at all, and the writing itself paints a stunning portrait of the story and setting.

Currently Creating: If Walls Could Talk newsletter

Ok, so this one is slightly cheating (but if you don’t promote your own projects, who’s going to, right?). If you hadn’t guessed by the above recommendation, I’m a bit of a history nerd. Since I don’t have school anymore, I needed an excuse to dive into centuries past — so voilà, a new project. Essentially, If Walls Could Talk blends my wanderlust, obsession with Pinterest, and inner history nerd. Each week(ish), I dig into the history behind a cool place or building and post the story on social media and via newsletter. (Hint, hint: Follow @javajournalist on Instagram and Twitter and sign up for the newsletter here).

Currently Watching: the Kansas City ballet

As a kid, I was obsessed with the cartoon movie The Swan Princess. Until recently, I wasn’t aware that this was actually based on the classic Tchaikovsky ballet Swan Lake — or for a more likely reference, the movie Black Swan. Anyway, I recently saw the Kansas City Ballet‘s performance of Swan Lake, and it was incredible. Though this particular show is over, I highly recommend checking out the KC Ballet if you’re in the area — I make it a point to see nearly all their shows, and they’re always amazing. It kind of makes me wish I hadn’t quit ballet in third grade …

Currently Sipping: Nespresso espresso

This one should be more like: item I can’t survive without. At one point, I spent a rather mortifying amount of money on lattes (which also speaks to my coffee addiction, but that’s another story). I’ve since upgraded my home espresso machine to the Nespresso Evoluo, which creates a surprisingly delicious espresso for a home maker. It’s also ridiculously easy — pop a pod in, press start, and you have espresso in a few seconds — which suits my lazy self perfectly. Mine came with a milk frother, so I can even make my own lattes at home. Not exactly the gorgeous latte art of the pros, but it saves me a fortune in coffeeshop runs.

Currently Learning: Creative Transformation with Skillshare

If you want to learn a new skill, chances are Skillshare has a class on it. I recently signed up for a monthlong free trial (kind of cheating, I know) and tried to cram as many classes in as I could. All the ones I tried were interesting, but I especially enjoyed Mari Andrew’s “Creative Transformation: 9 Exercises to Draw, Write, and Discover Your Future.” Sounds a bit woo-woo, but I promise it’s not. Even if you’re not trying to launch a creative career, the lessons were enlightening and inspiring, sparking the type of introspection that I think everyone needs.

March 3, 2020

Musings

Current Obsessions: January

January 18, 2020

Currently reading: Aimée Leduc books

I’m a sucker for a good mystery. Add to that the fact that these novels are set in Paris, and I’m sold. I came across this series thanks to one of my aforementioned favorite podcasts, and I’m now officially hooked. With a blend of history and high-stakes drama (all amidst the magic of the City of Lights, of course), these books following a plucky female detective are always a can’t-put-down pick.

Currently wearing: Unique Vintage Flapper Capelet

What are the holidays without a bit of glitter? I bought this sparkly little capelet to top off my holiday outfit, and now I’m a little bit obsessed. Art Deco flair and gold glitz — what’s not to love?

Currently watching: Anne with an E

Anyone else remember Anne of Green Gables with nostalgia? (If not, what have you been doing?) This Netflix remake strays from the books a bit, I have to admit, but it’s so good that I really don’t care. The characters are colorful and charming, the scenery is breathtaking, and there’s a compelling mixture of sentimentality, drama, and, humor. The third and final season was just released, and I’m not at all ashamed to admit I binge-watched it in record time. Definitely a must-watch, even if you’re (somehow) not already an Anne of Green Gables fan.

Currently sipping: Hot cocoa

What really needs to be said about this one? Coffee will always have my heart, but this winter I’ve been getting into a steaming mug of cocoa when I’m looking for a chocolate fix. I even made my own mix over the holidays, and Santa brought a decadent Christopher Elbow tin for my stocking (thanks, Santa). Bring on the chilly winter weather — I’m prepared.

Currently baking: Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies with Eggnog Buttercream

In the search for a holiday-flavored treat to bake for gifts, I might have gone a bit overboard (is that possible?). In any case, these soft and chewy gingerbread cookies with rich eggnog frosting ticked all the boxes. I may or may not have eaten some of the cookie dough myself.

January 18, 2020

Musings/ Travel

Notes on Parisian Style

November 23, 2019

Without a doubt, one of the best parts of visiting Paris — of traveling period, in my opinion — is the people-watching. I do this everywhere I go, but the Parisians are, after all, known for being a particularly stylish set. Now despite my *ahem* proclivity for shopping, I certainly wouldn’t call myself a fashion expert. But as I watched the busy Parisians clip along the streets, I picked up an idea or two about the ingredients of a chic Parisian look (or at least, the modern Parisian look, which is essentially the same thing). This isn’t to say that everyone in Paris is a fashion model — not at all. But the majority definitely have a style and flair that I couldn’t help noticing. As a dedicated people-watcher and Francophile, I had to take notes on Parisian style. As such, this isn’t so much a guide on how to dress Parisian as it is a few observations about how the Parisians of 2019 go about the city in their enviably Parisian way.

*Disclaimer: This is mostly centered on the women (sorry, guys), though I will say that Parisian men are also quite well-dressed!

Heels

Despite the prevalence of cobbled streets in Paris, there are (somehow) a lot of high heels clicking around the city. However, don’t imagine Sex and the City stilettos — these were more chunky heels and platforms, though still plenty high (granted, it was fall, but still). That said, I saw a lot of sensible loafers and sneakers as well, especially flat white Adidas sneakers. One thing was certain: no matter how high the heels, Parisians know how to walk. Everywhere in the city, clearly to get somewhere (and not car-to-door), often with groceries or other bags — and quickly. And I didn’t see a single person stumbling or acting as if her feet hurt.

Scarves

Scarves, scarves, and more scarves! Yes, it was getting chilly when I was there, but even on the warm days, nearly everyone was wearing a scarf. Bigger seemed to be better here — large scarves, wrapped all around the neck in a big bundle. I saw all colors and patterns, though in general I’d say the Parisians seem to favor neutrals over bright and crazy colors. A great benefit of this: all I had to do was throw a scarf around my neck, and I immediately felt more French!

Cloth Tote Bags

I’m really not exaggerating here — everyone, men and women, carried a cloth tote bag. Seriously, I started to get bag envy. I’m not sure if this is a fashion trend or part of rising eco-consciousness in France (which is definitely a legitimate trend there), but in any case, tote bags everywhere. Women usually had a purse or other bag as well, but always a cloth tote bag slung over a shoulder. This may have also been part of the reason I bought three while I was there …

Midi Skirts

Despite the dropping temperatures, midi skirts are definitely in in Paris. Usually worn with sneakers or boots, and with tights if it was cold, they were everywhere, in every style and color. Pleated and a-line seems to be the main look. I may have (literally) bought into this trend as well — did I mention there was a lot of shopping involved in this trip?

Hairstyles

This is something I’ve heard before and found to be true when I visited — French women don’t seem that into coiffed hair. I saw both a lot of messy buns and a lot of hair left loose, but barely any perfectly hairsprayed ‘dos. Up or down, hair wasn’t usually straightened or perfectly styled but more loose and natural. The French may have a reputation for effortless beauty, but in this case it seems to be true. Maybe a sign for us all to loosen up a little?

The Teen Uniform

Maybe no one else cares about this, but I found it amusing that the teen girls of Paris had a very distinct uniform. I made the mistake of hitting some vintage shops on a Wednesday afternoon (French students have Wednesday afternoons off school), and I felt like I was trapped in a chattering mob of clones. This (unofficial) uniform is very particular: straight-leg, ankle-length jeans or leggings, Adidas sneakers, and a big ‘80s- or ‘90s-style jacket. Ok, maybe the clone reference is a bit dramatic, but I swear the uniform is a thing! In fact, ‘90s style seemed to be big in general, especially in the thrift shops I popped into. The youth predicting the big style trends of tomorrow?

Well, there you have it — certainly not an expert analysis, but straight from the streets of Paris in any case. Whether you buy into the hype about French beauty and fashion or not, people-watching is practically a national pastime there, and you can’t deny the Parisians provide plenty of fodder. I know I picked up plenty of ideas, at least. Anyone want to go shopping?

November 23, 2019

Musings

Current Obsessions: September

September 5, 2019

September obsessions musings Kansas City

Is it really September already? Then why is it still 95 degrees? Anyway, weather complaints aside, I’m actually quite ready for a new month and season. As we kick off September, here are a few things taking up possibly-unhealthy amounts of my days/thoughts!

Currently Baking: Mocha protein bars

In general, I’m not really a protein-packing, workout-fuel sort of person. But I bought a container of protein powder for a (Pinterest-sourced, of course) recipe — which, as you know if you’ve ever bought protein powder, come only in Hulk-worthy sizes. So as I was wondering what to do with my vat of protein powder and tragically out of chocolate in my apartment, I came across this recipe. Anything with mocha immediately catches my eye, and I have to admit I’m now hooked. It basically tastes exactly like mocha brownie batter, and it’s ridiculously easy to make. I have trouble getting it to set into actual bars, but as I have no qualms eating brownie batter, that totally works for me.

Currently Coveting: SWISSGEAR suitcase

Is it odd that I’m shopaholic-lusting over a suitcase? Maybe, but I’ve been looking for a suitcase that mimics a vintage steamer trunk (but doesn’t require actually lugging around a heavy trunk) for ages. Most seem to be $500-1000 (yes, seriously), and this one is $150 and available at Target, so I’m basically sold. Not that I need a new suitcase. But oh Target, you’re killing me!

Currently Munching: Mud Pie Bakery blueberry crumble bars

Chances are, I’ve mentioned Mud Pie on here before (once, twice, a million times). It’s an adorable coffeeshop in a bright yellow house on quirky 39th street, and I’m unabashedly obsessed. All their food is delicious, but I recently tried their gluten-free blueberry crumble bars, and I’m now addicted. Perfectly crumbly and sweet, these berry bars hit the spot for breakfast, dessert, a snack — you name it. (And you’d never guess they’re vegan and gluten-free.) It doesn’t hurt that you can hang out in Mud Pie’s adorable living room as you munch, either.

Currently Reading: The City of Brass

If you’ve caught any of the million Harry Potter references around here, you might have guessed that I’m a bit of a fantasy fan. With magic, djinn (genies), and history, The City of Brass is right up my alley. It’s a bit like Aladdin or Arabian Nightsfor grown-ups. Admittedly, it’s taking me a while to get through this one, but mostly because I keep pausing to take notes in the margins (yes, I’m a nerd).

Currently Wandering: Kansas City murals

It turns out Kansas City’s street art game is pretty darn awesome! This has been on my bucket list for ages, and my friend Emily and I recently hit the streets (and electric scooters) to check out the best murals around downtown KC. Rest assured, a full post on this is coming soon — once I sort through the million pictures I took. For now, keep an eye out for a burst of vibrant paint if you’re wandering around Kansas City (which I highly recommend).

Currently Listening: The Earful Tower podcast

Ok, this is slightly cheating, because I’ve been obsessed with this for a while now. But I recently got a shout-out on the podcast, so let me relish it a bit! Anything Paris-related immediately gets a spot on my radar (in case you missed the Eiffel Tower reference), and this podcast has some great tips and insight into both Paris behind the scenes and the Parisian expat community. Basically, I’m considering it crucial life research. Plus, the host has a charming Australian accent and a penchant for lovably corny jokes — how can you go wrong?

September 5, 2019

Musings/ Travel

Wandering Solo: 6 Key Tips for Traveling Alone

July 24, 2019

The sky was nestling into velvety sapphire, the sun slipping behind rolling hills, and the red tile roofs stretched out like a doll village below. The bell tower was silent and empty around me.

Being alone gets a bad rap sometimes. Indisputably, we all need those close, two-peas-in-a-pod friends. But going solo can be an amazingly enlightening and strengthening experience. I remember a time when I would skip an event I really wanted to check out if I couldn’t find a wingman (or wingwoman). The idea of venturing around Eastern Europe alone initially seemed at best a pipe dream, at worst just plain stupid. Yet it was also a fleeting chance: recently graduated, “real life” waiting on the horizon — when else would I be able to tackle my bucket list head-on, on my own terms? As I booked a flight to Berlin, for once I didn’t allow any overanalyzing or second-guessing. Unsurprisingly, it was an incredible three weeks. It was also a series of ups and downs, but taking the plunge and doing it on my own left me with a few insights.

You’re tougher than you think.

The minute you’re lugging a suitcase alone across a cavernous Hungarian train station, or faced with a dinner menu that might as well be written in astrophysics equations, traveling solo begins to seem like a questionable idea. There’s no one to follow, no one else to bravely ask a stranger for help, no one to chuckle ruefully with over your hopeless sense of direction. But you figure it out. You stumble a bit, bruise your pride, waste some time, but you get where you’re trying to go, find something edible to order, and often stumble across something incredible in the meantime. And when you do, a delicious satisfaction arises in knowing you had the guts and smarts to figure it out on your own.

You will get lonely (and that’s ok).

As much as I loved being on my own, there were moments when something reminded me of home or a friend, and I suddenly felt a million miles away, stranded in Timbuktu. No matter how many awesome people you meet or amazing places you visit, at some point a familiar face would be a welcome sight. But feeling lonely doesn’t mean you’re any less self-sufficient or strong. It’s all about finding the things that make you happy, not being afraid to enjoy them, and knowing when to put FaceTime to good use.

It’s the unexpected moments that mean the most.

I’m a planner. And traveling alone, it seemed like a good idea to be prepared. But some days, like my first in Prague, I just picked a direction and started walking. Here’s the thing about Prague: all the streets resemble the twisting cobblestone paths found in fairy tales. One minute you’re passing a tourist-packed bakery, and the next you’re in a misty forest scaling steep stone and dirt steps (or does that only happen to me?). You somehow end up at a hilltop observation tower, and then all of Prague is magically laid out below you. With no one to plan with, it’s easier to simply wander (and get lost) by your own whim, and there’s something sweet about not having to share that discovery moment.

The best encounters are the random ones.

Random encounters occur, well, randomly (shocker), whether you’re alone or with a friend. But when there’s no one with you to puzzle over nonsensical train schedules or exclaim at stunning views, you’re more likely to strike up a conversation with whoever is nearby, however random that might be. I probably would have whispered to my companion over the doodads in a Prague antiques shop instead of chatting with the banged-up shopkeeper about the perils of biking home from the pub (take his bandaged arm as a lesson, folks). Or missed bashing the Hungarian train system with two British guys as we sat in the luggage compartment on a train with fewer seats than passengers. Obviously this calls for common sense, but it’s also an opportunity to meet some of the most interesting people in the world (literally).

It’s about finding the place that clicks.

For each city I visited, there was that neighborhood or café where everything slid into place and I felt like I belonged, like that was my place. From the funky hipster markets of Berlin’s Kreuzberg to the vibrantly graffitied, café-lined Jewish quarter of Budapest, I only had to set foot there to feel more content. That discovery of the spot where I feel more like a local than a tourist is one of the best parts of traveling in my book, and wandering the city streets on my own left my way open to find it.

It’s ok to be selfish sometimes.

Let’s be real here: part of the reason I wanted to travel alone is so I could go wherever and do whatever I wanted. Maybe that’s a bit selfish and inflexible. But we have a right to follow our own hearts and guts sometimes, to do something completely our own way. To do something just because we want to. Pure and simple. There’s plenty of time for obligations and compromises. I wouldn’t have had the same experience, discovered the same wonders, had the same insights about myself, if I had been traveling with someone else. It’s like that double chocolate cookie you know you want — we all deserve a little self-indulgence every once in a while, right?

July 24, 2019