Our Year Around the World

Yummy Baked Things I Want to Make RIGHT Now!!

Do you ever have those mornings where you want to stare at every baked good in the world on Pinterest? Well if not, this is something that I am going through this morning you just won't be able to understand!!!

Luckily, staring at all these yummy things for long enough makes me not really want them anymore - and is actually making me want to start working out even earlier today than I was originally planning on! I think I just pulled reverse psychology on myself. I am also lucky enough that when I bake something I have NO desire to eat it - I just hand the goodies off to somebody else!!! 

I am a HUGE baker - if you've been following some of my earlier blog posts, you already know this! However, because of being on a million vacations this year and just doing a bajillion other things, I really haven't had time for baking lately. I'm hoping to do one of the following today, but might need a little help picking out which one to make! ;)

#1 Frozen Thin Mint Cheesecake

Because even though nowadays I refuse to eat them, I still secretly mentally cannot get over Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookies ;(

Cheesecake is actually VERY easy to make as well, so wouldn't take up too much time!!

#2 Strawberry Mascarpone Layer Cake
Summer is DEFINITELY approaching (especially since it's going to be 80 degrees in Chicago today!!), so that means it is finally time to use fresh fruit in baked goods again! Thank goodness they will finally taste yummy enough again for this amazing cake!

#3 Crumb Apricot Cheesecake
This cheesecake looks so beautiful. I love this much fruit in something - I must be really wanting cheesecake this morning or something. Maybe staring at these pictures really doesn't work..

#4 Smores Cookie Bars

I love how the Hershey bars in this picture AREN'T melted - it looks exactly how your smores would look before you start melting everything over the fire! This sounds delicious! 

#5 Nutella Ravioli
Basically a Nutella-filled pastry puff. Ok, maybe I am hungry for sweet stuff now...

Destination on the World's Most Epic Trip Ever: Vienna, Austria

I cannot BELIEVE it has already been a month since I left for Europe for the most epic 2-week long vacation with Mark! Makes me sad... but happy, because if time moves by quickly, before you know it he will be finally moving back home to the USA!! Woohoo!!

So when planning this trip, I was originally told by multiple people that Vienna was NO good - that there wasn't much to do, and they just felt bored being there. So of course, we only booked ourselves a day and a half there - but we seriously regretted it, because we LOVED Vienna! Such a jam-packed short time in Austria, but it really was a beautiful city, and we felt like there were so many places to go and see - so many palaces & museums, especially.

Getting to Austria was definitely NOT as easy as the rest of the cities we went to. Because I believe of the mountains between Austria and Italy, we couldn't simply just take a train from Venice to Vienna - we would've had to take a bus for 4 hours, then connect that to a train for 4 hours. Instead, we just decided to fly Berlin to Vienna! Mark's trying to figure out the German safety card information :)

When we got there, we were so tired - but went out to dinner, and decided to check out St. Stephens catherdral at nighttime, since we would be pressed for time for our 1 full day in Vienna. Um, REALLY glad we went at night! Check out how creepy but AMAZING St. Stephens looks at night. Reminds me of Halloween ... we also took an elevator up to the outside top of a cathedral, where they had built a viewing platform on the roof. I am terrified of heights... rawr.

The next day we decided to start out the day with Belvedere Palace, which is also a museum. However, love that Vienna is such an old, beautiful city.. but with all of this urban modern art in random areas of the city. 

This sign relates to our lives, I told Mark :) Total Living by living it up with massive amounts of travel this year!

As soon as they take the art out of Belvedere Palace... it's my new home.

After Belvedere, we headed over to Schobrunn Palace. However, story for the rest of our lives ALERT... along the way we got stopped by the  metro 'police' because we apparently did not have the correct ticket to be riding on the train. So when you buy a ticket on their little ticket terminals, they give you the option between full/half price. Well why the HECK would this American not choose half price!!!! ... Turns out it's only for kids and dogs. Because dogs need to be charged to ride the train..... Haha anyways, I was able to 'make nice' with the metro police woman and convince her that yes we had no idea what was going on because we were tourists, and she let us go with only ONE 100 Euro charge for violating the law. Yes Mark, that's right, I saved us another 100 Euro!!!! :D

So that's my little negotiation-skills claim to fame. 

Schobrunn had these amazing gardens with hedge mazes, CRAZY cool playgrounds, mirror mazes, etc. Of course we had to go check that out for at LEAST an hour and a half... and not go see the actual palace because of it bahaha.

After that, we took the train back into the city on the CORRECT train pass, and walked around the city center for a long time. We ended up hitting up the Albertina museum, where I got a picture in the EXACT same spot where 'Before Sunrise' was filmed!!! My new little claim to fame.

After seeing the Albertina, we decided to walk over to the 'Rathaus', which is sort of like Vienna's city hall if I'm not mistaken. Anyways, we got INCREDIBLY lucky because they were having a beer/wine festival in front of the Rathaus, so how could we NOT go!!! That was just some plain amazing luck right there. 

One of my last favorite parts about Austria (besides my palaces and Austrian beer) was all of the Easter markets that popped up at least every 10-15 blocks in the city center. We saw one earlier in the day at Schobrunn Palace as well, but after we saw the last one after the beer/wine festival, I understood how celebrated a holiday Easter is in Central Europe. There were Easter markets in every city we hit up after Vienna, too! I now massively regret getting a few of the ornament wooden painted Easter eggs they were selling everywhere. Oh well, maybe next year :D

After an amazing 1.5 days in Vienna, we took the train to the Czech Republic to visit Prague for the first time, EVER! On the most epic trip, ever!!!! 

Summer Time = Margarita Time!!!

I am moving to a new apartment building at the end of this month, and I don't know how I got so lucky, but my new place has the most amazing rooftop pool in the WHOLE wide world!! So naturally, my sights are set on summer and margaritas by the pool with my friends!! 

This dream was unfortunately added to when I spotted the Salud Azul margarita glasses when I popped into Crate & Barrel yesterday on my day off ... this is going to be an extreme problem. 

Ok... add the matching shot glass on too. :D 

Since I have deemed this summer the summer of the margaritas, here are the top 5 margarita recipes I am DYING to try - as soon as I buy this new glass set and find myself at my new home! FYI all of these recipes are copied and pasted from other websites and Pinterest pins - so thanks to whoever came up with these!! I know I'm definitely not cocktail-crafty enough to come up with these!

#1 The Blueberry Margarita ... hello deliciousness

Amazing Blueberry Margaritas Fresh orange juice or lime juice (optional) 3 cups ice 1/3 cup tequila 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries 1 (6-ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup orange liqueur Dip rims of glasses in orange juice and dip in sugar crystals to coat (optional) Process ice and next 5 ingredients in blender until smooth. Serve in prepared glasses.

#2 - The Frosty Mexican Bulldog Margarita 

... because honestly, who doesn't want a margarita with a bottle of Corona

Bear with me.. I'm having a total copy and paste kind of morning. I am not writing out these instructions myself!!!:

Ingredients

• 5 Cups Ice
• 1 Cup Tequila
• ½ Cup Grand Marnier
• 5 Limes, more for garnish
• 1 Orange
• 1 Cup simple syrup
• 6 Beer, Corona
• ⅓ Cup coarse Salt

 

Yield: 6 servings

Total Time

10 minutes

Prep time

10 minutes

Main Ingredients:

 Beer, Tequila

Recipe Type:

 Cocktail

Diet:

 Vegan

1. Place limes and the orange–which should be at room temperature–on the counter and roll them with your hand, back and forth, while applying pressure. Be careful, you don’t want to break them open, do it semi-gently. They’ll feel like a sem-filled water balloon when ready. This way the citrus will yield more liquid when you juice them.

2. Juice the limes and the orange in a large measuring cup, then add in the tequila, grand marnier, and simple syrup. Mix together.

3. Pour the salt into a shallow bowl. Using one of the juiced limes, swipe the outer rim of one of your glasses. Swivel the glass upside down in the salt until the rim is covered. Repeat for each glass.

4. Add a heaping cup of ice to the blender and just enough of the margarita mixture that the ice is not covered. Blend, adding more ice or margarita mix until the desired thickness is achieved.

4. Pour the frozen margarita into a salt-rimmed glass, pop open a Corona, and place it upside down in the glass, submerging it into the margarita. Repeat for each glass.

Now get that party started and enjoy!

#3 - Margarita Gummies 

WHAT!!! AMAZING! I can see these becoming dangerous very quickly.

Margarita Gummies

¼ cup Triple Sec

¼ cup orange flavored liqueur

1 cup silver tequila

½ cup plus 2 Tbsp lime juice

1 Tbsp sugar or simple syrup or maple syrup (optional!)

½ cup gelatin

Directions:

If you have a vitamix or blender that has a SUPER low speed, do this: 

Mix the liquids together, pour half in the blender container and half in a pan on the stove. While waiting for the stove to heat, sprinkle a little gelatin into the liquid in the blender container and let it sit there. When the liquid in the pan reaches 90 degrees, pour that liquid into the blender container with the rest and turn the blender on to its lowest speed. Pour in 1/2 cup gelatin slowly and blend on low until it has dissolved. Add sweetener if you’re using it. If you blend it on a higher speed, it will get too foamy and you will not be happy with the results!

If you do NOT have a vitamix or blender with a SUPER low speed, do this: 

In a saucepan on the stove, add all the liquid with a sprinkle of gelatin, and heat it to around 90-100 degrees. Alcohol will burn off at around 159 degrees, so try and keep the temp much lower than that! Add sweetener if you’re using it (I usually throw in a skosh of maple syrup–but I like these tart too!). While stirring briskly with a whisk, gradually add the gelatin powder. Continue whisking until all the gelatin has dissolved. Don’t get too crazy with your whisk or it will be really foamy! (I’ve done it with a hand mixer, and the foam is kind of annoying, but it’s easy to scoop off… and eat).

#4 - Frozen Mango Lime Margaritas .. sorry, I still love frozen margs

Frozen Mango Lime Margaritas

Fresh mangos and just-squeezed lime juice make for a gorgeous margarita that's equal parts sweet and tart, cool and refreshing, potent and oh-so drinkable.

yield: 4 SERVINGS

 

prep time: 10 MINUTES

 

total time: 10 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

To rim glasses:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 lime wedge

Margaritas:

• 1 cup fresh chopped mango
• 1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup triple sec*
• Honey (optional)
• 2-3 cups ice
• Lime slices for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pour the sugar in a small saucer, then wet the rim of each glass with the lime wedge. Dip the rim of the glass into the sugar to coat. Set aside.
2. Add mango, lime juice, tequila, and triple sec to a blender and puree. Taste for sweetness - depending on your mango, it may be plenty sweet already, or you may want to add honey, a teaspoon or two at a time, until it's sweet enough. Add 2 cups ice and blend completely, adding additional ice to attain desired thickness.
3. Pour into glasses, garnish with a lime slice if desired, and serve.

* Can substitute Grand Marnier for the Triple Sec.

#5 - Boozy Kiwi Lime Margarita Popsicles .. I will eat these by the pool all day long and no one will ever know >:D

Boozy Kiwi Margarita Popsicle

By Jerry James Stone at Cooking Stoned – cookingstoned.tv – view full recipe

Ain’t nothing like a boozy popsicle, right? They are kind of the perfect dessert. I sorta feel kid-like having one but in a “I snuck into my parent’s liquor cabinet” kinda way. And this deconstructed kiwi margarita is the perfect way to start!

Ingredients

• ½ Cup fresh lime juice
• 1 Cup granulated sugar
• 2 ½ Cups Water
• 2 Kiwis
• 2 Tablespoons Tequila
• 2 Tablespoons Grand Marnier

 

Yield: 10 popsicles

Total Time

10 hours, 15 minutes

Prep time

15 minutes

Inactive time

10 hours

Main Ingredient:

 Kiwi

Recipe Type:

 Popsicles

Diet:

 Vegan

Equipment:

 Classic Popsicle Mold, Wooden Popsicle Sticks (50-Count)

1. Whisk together the lime juice, sugar and water until the sugar is completely combined. This is really important so if you are unsure about the sugar being dissolved, you can warm it over a medium-low heat to ensure it.

2. Peel the kiwi fruit and slice it thinly.

3. Whisk in the booze. Do not add any more booze or your pops will not freeze. You will have a slushy mess on your hands.

4. Add a few slices of kiwi fruit to each mold and then fill with them with the margarita mixture. Now keep in mind, this is NOT a margarita mix, you wouldn’t want to drink it. It is for popsicles only.

6. Add the popsicle sticks.

7. Freeze for at least 7 to 10 hours as you want these pops to be rock hard.

Enjoy!

It's been confirmed - this is going to be one AMAZING summer!!!! 

My (Quick) Saturday Inspirations!

Unfortunately I am completely EXHAUSTED this morning, and couldn't pull myself out of bed at my usual 5 AM wakeup call - so, this has to be super short - but still have had a little bit of time to scroll through Pinterest this morning and pick out a few things that are impacting me/I'm loving on for the day!

#1 - Love this one.. so applicable to my life! According to this quote, my heart is all over the world :) Especially in Europe!

#2 - Yes. Someone, help me.

#3 - Is this real life? Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes... a cupcake and a ball of raw cookie dough in one. When's my next fat day?!

#4 - A little travel-inspired bedroom decor. Currently rethinking what I might do in my new apartment decor-wise when I move in 20 days!

#5 - This maxi dress. Are you kidding me ... if I find this, I will wear this every day, forget washing it. It will stay on me ALL SUMMER LONG.

And that is all. Have a lovely Saturday! 

3.5 Days in Venice

First stop: Venice, Italy!! 

Italy was the perfect first place to visit on our trip - how could it not be!! The weather was phenomenal and I actually got BURNT one of the days there, which was a fabulous change from the -30 degree weather we had all winter long in Chicago. Being in a place surrounded by water with warm weather was incredibly relaxing, and it just made me so happy to be able to see Venice again years later and experience it together!!

It's just so unbelievably unreal!!!

On our first day in Venice, it was a little bit of a blur considering I had been awake for over 24 hours, since sleeping on the plane just didn't happen, and I HAD to stay up all day in Venice to adjust to a European time zone. However, I have to say after 3 trips to Europe in the last 8 months, I now feel like a jet lag pro!!! :) Got there and kept on going till 8 PM, had a glass of wine and a few cappuccinos with Italian espresso, of course, to help keep me awake - and slept 15 hours that night, woke up 100% on Italian time. No problems at all after that!! Woohoo!!!

The next two days, however, were unforgettable. We spent them getting cappuccinos under the Rialto bridge, red wine in San Marco Square and climbing up the tower to see the view of Venice from above, visiting the Doges Palace, taking gondola rides, and exploring canals. 

Speaking of, I'm having some serious problems readjusting to American espresso. It's just not the same, and it now depresses me every morning making a latte out of my Tassimo machine! Someone buy me an Illy machine & coffee pods!

Sitting near the Rialto Bridge was especially perfect. It was the place most densely populated by continuous outdoor cafes right on the canal, and the sun always seemed to be shining over there. :) 

Unfortunately, the ONLY bad part about traveling as 2 people is that you have to live in selfie-city, unless you want to try to explain to the person standing next to you that doesn't speak English how to take a picture with your camera. However, I don't think we're too too bad at it!! :) If Venice was not sinking - which it will probably still be fine within our lifetime, I would live here in a heartbeat. Just need to learn Italian, already have the Italian last name - I'm set.

They had a produce market one day on the other side of the Rialto, and I was pretty much obsessed. It's been studied that the ideal way to merchandise a store or shop that is most appealing to a customer is a market-style - similar to what Lush does with their bath bombs in baskets, all on display for you to touch and ultimately want to grab 5,000 more!! If we had had a kitchen in Venice, I would've gone wild at this market. I just love how it looks. Some of the other market stands had hot peppers hanging on twine from the ceiling of the tent, and I could now kick myself for not getting a picture of it while I was there.

Seriously can't even describe the rest of the trip to Venice - it was just a total dream-like experience. We weren't sure at first that we were going to go here, given Venice to Vienna, to Prague, to Berlin, to Enschede, to Amsterdam was a LOT of ground to cover - but so glad we decided to. We ended our last day in Venice with a gondola ride - completely overpriced because it's a major tourist activity, but it was definitely worth the 120 Euro we had to pay. And it made for great pictures :)

After our time in Venice was over, our next stop was flying to Vienna through a connection in Berlin. Stay tuned! ;)