Europe by Rail

Matt's been using our time in Sweden to make videos of our trip so far. This video he made at Christmas time of our three month backpacking trip around Europe. I love watching it and just remembering all the amazing places we've been. Sometimes I can't believe how much of the globe I've now covered. I hope you like it!


Travel Around Europe from Matt on Vimeo.

Just Chillin'

It's hard to get up and get dressed when you have no reason to leave the house. While I have plenty of things to do if I do go out, there isn't actually anything pressing me to do so or anyone making sure I do. Oh the life of a unemployed, world wanderer. But being comfy while chilling at home doesn't mean I stay in my pajamas. It means I wear casual outfits like this one. Loose jeans, an oversize sweater and a t-shirt are my perfect stay-at-home outfit. Hopefully they're not too stay-at-home mom, I am only 26 folks, besides if anything, I prefer to be tea-granny.

Hmm... What am I wearing? From head to toe: grey cardigan from I Love Vintage, light green t-shirt and jeans from Gap, brown woven belt from H&M, black flats from some store in Nice, France (sorry I really can't remember but they're pretty generic-looking flats anyways). Oh and a clutch from Shuswap Bags two pictures down.

 In case you weren't already convinced what an amazing model I am, you definitely will be after this beauty.

Enough about me, I should really get out of the way of this amazing view! We are staying with friends in Sweden in a small town up North. This is the view from their backyard. I wouldn't mind looking at this everyday, which I guess I am for the next month. Makes a pretty nice backdrop if I do say so myself. 

Un Hermoso Dia Wandering around Sevilla

It's always nice when the sun comes out after being cold for a while. Last fall, as Matt and I travelled around Europe we jumped around between warm places and cold places so it was nice when we were in Spain in October and we had a warm, sunny day in Sevilla. It was especially nice because we had been desperate for clean clothes and I put pretty much everything I had in the wash and only had a summer dress to wear.

It's been a while but I like to relive the memories with our photos, and we have A LOT of photos. So I'll probably keep editing them and posting them on here occasionally. And who knows maybe someday I'll go back there. If you go to Spain, Sevilla is a great city and this park was beautiful but watch out for the gypsy women selling ridiculously priced 'herbs' that basically look like twigs. You may suddenly find one in your hand and before you know it five euros will be gone from your pocket. It's best to just walk by quickly.

Going Bananas!

Yesterday I made a super simple banana chocolate chip muffin recipe that's a great way to use up brown bananas and isn't too unhealthy. Don't they look yummy! They taste delicious too!

Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup mashed bananas (approximately 2 large bananas)
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup of chocolate chips

Since I'm in Sweden I made some substitutions which don't seem to have made a difference. I used rapeseed oil instead of vegetable oil and I cut up a large bar of dark baking chocolate into tiny pieces because apparently in small-town Northern Sweden they don't have chocolate chips!

To Make:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease muffin tray with butter using a bit of wax paper. Mix together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon) in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix together the mashed bananas with the egg and oil. Stir the banana mixture into the dry ingredients just until blended (do not overmix). Stir in the chocolate chips.

Divide the batter among muffin tray, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake muffins until tops are pale golden and toothpick inserted into centre comes out with some melted chocolate attached but no crumbs, about 15-20 minutes. Transfer muffins to rack and then let cool.

Ta da!!!

Don't they look yummy?

Yup. I was right, they're delicious!

A Sweet Treat for my Ears

I've been sitting on a $10 M/C gift card since Christmas. Since it's in Canadian funds I didn't know what to do with it aside from hold onto it until we return to Canada in July, but that's just no fun. So I found the perfect way to spend it! Shopping online at the Gallery AC store from Canadian label Arts & Crafts. And my first purchase is Zeus' album Say Us for only $1.99!

Released in February of 2010 the album consists of twelve tracks of what the Arts & Crafts website describes as "smart pop hooks with jangling electric guitars, three-part harmonies; [in other words] classic rock n' roll."

I'm listening to it this morning, and I like it! And I'm not surprised since I've long liked Jason Collett, a Toronto musician for whom Zeus originally played as a backing band. And though their sounds are comparable, Zeus holds their own, and Say Us is a dynamic and enjoyable album that I am happy to add to my growing collection of home-grown favs. And the best part is, this sweet indulgence doesn't have any calories - or any sugary pop anthems to make my ears hurt.

Happy Holiday Monday

Exactly one year ago today, Matt and I spent a sunny Victoria Day at Barnet Marine Park. This year, we're in Sweden and it's raining. But since the last 299 days have been holidays for us I guess it's okay :)

Fresh off the Plane

You obviously don't know this about me, but I get a bit homesick. And when I get worn out and tired of living out of a backpack, I get a bit clothes-sick. I miss accessorizing and dressing up and just looking nice and feeling fresh. So, though it is still two months and eight days away, I've started daydreaming about my homecoming outfit. I actually fly home from Toronto since we're stopping in Eastern Canada for three weeks on the way home so it will be a short flight and I might actually have a chance at not looking like a walking zombie with dry skin and greasy hair.

This post started with the bag. Which I might actually get since I need to transport home my laptop and some souvenirs and I don't have a proper carry-on, just a small purse. And I'm seriously considering buying this tank top because I absolutely love red and blue and the cute flower print (it reminds me of a dress I had as a little girl), but I've never ordered clothes online before and I desperately need some advice! If anyone has any experience with judging sizing or buying from Ruche or wants to share some of their online ordering experience with me, please do! Of course as I write this I've been distracting myself by adding the tank and a coat I adore to my shopping cart and estimating shipping costs...

Floral Frenzy Printed Tank, Blissful Hearts Locket Necklace, Amazed By You Light Zip Up Jacket, Through and Through Belt, and Ophelia Sandals - all from Ruche, Pieces Virabello Bag - Kii, Digi Pumps - Vagabond, Jeans - Levis

 I know, I've put two pairs of shoes on here, they're in a bit of a stand-off because I like them both, but obviously it will be weather dependent and I still have to decide whether the sandals and the bag are too matchy-matchy. The pumps are a lot more likely. They're by a Swedish company called Vagabond Shoes and if I can find them, and they're comfortable I think they'd make a perfect souvenir from Sweden! Plus, I have to get a job again someday and I'll need a nice pair of interview shoes! Maybe that will be my excuse, I'm just getting a head start on my back to work shopping! For now I can want, can't I?

Dots on Maps

I'm listening to Dots on Maps by Say Hi right now. It was on a free iTunes sampler and it's a pretty good song.

Now that we're back in Sweden staying with friends (we were also here at Christmas) all the places we've been seem a bit surreal. I can't believe all the places on the map I've been. I'm not a huge fan of plane travel because you don't really get a sense of where you've been or how far you've travelled.  You just sit in an air conditioned box for a while and suddenly you're some where else. But some of the time it's the only way to get around safely in a decent amount of time.  It's still hard to believe I've been so far and seen so many amazing things so it's nice to have my laptop back and be able to look through all our photos on a bigger screen and be reminded of the memories. And also get creative with editing them. Apparently I've been out of the photo editing loop for a while because I only just discovered Photoshop actions yesterday. It's completely made my day and taken up all time over the last 24 hours. Although it did contribute to my lack of sleep last night, I also have to blame the strong Swedish coffee I was dumb enough to drink last night at about 9:30pm.

Here are some of the photos I made this morning for my new header. Capturing some of the places I've been roaming around the last ten months.

WishList: Fe Sweden's Pocket Watch Style Necklace

I thought I'd start a new post category called WishList. I'll use it to post about things I've seen in stores or online, or even imagined, that I'd love to have but will have to settle for adding them to my WishList. Maybe someday I can look back at all the posts and select a few items to add to my wardrobe.

To start things off, here's an item I stumbled upon online today on the website for the Swedish store Kii. The web shop is in Swedish but I've been getting pretty good at navigating online shops in foreign languages!

Ingrid with Chai, by Fe Sweden

I love the classic look of this pocket watch necklace and the antique style it portrays. Too bad it's 650 Swedish Kroner (like $102!) Maybe it will still be around and be on sale when I'm back in Sweden in June. A girl can dream.

While I'm in a dreaming mood. I need a dress for a wedding this summer. Maybe this $400 dress from Kii will go on sale as well... Do you think it's wedding appropriate? With a black slip underneath? I think it's gorgeous. Unfortunately it costs more than many of my plane tickets.

Summer Jr by Rodebjer

Photos from the Kii website.

My Travelin' Shoes

At the end of 2009, just before Christmas, I bought myself a pair of Ecco Lite boots. I loved the look of the brown boots but I was easily persuaded by the sales girl to get the black pair as I didn't normally wear a lot of brown and I wasn't yet comfortable with the idea of mixing brown and black, something I now love to do. The boots were light-weight, flexible and comfy and they were going to be my perfect traveling shoes. Unfortunately the price tag wasn't lovable. With 30 days to return them I kept them unworn in the box for three weeks before I realized it was a little impulsive of me to buy shoes for a trip I wasn't taking for another eight months. I returned them and spent the money on what I was shopping for in the first place, Christmas presents for my friends and family. I am horrible at Christmas shopping, I always find things I want for myself!

I hope someday I can replace this picture with one of me wearing my boots! Until then I'll just have to dream...

When July rolled around and I was getting ready to leave I thought again about my boots, unfortunately they wouldn't be out in Ecco stores in Canada until the end of the summer. The sales girl's foreshadowing remark that European stores carry different stock didn't phase me until I got to Europe in the fall. In fashionable Prague I was desperate for my traveling boots. There were two Ecco stores in the area of downtown Prague and within walking distance of my hostel. I went to both. They all carried the same unfortunate-looking platform heeled boots. I spent the next two months casually dragging my boyfriend to Ecco stores in almost all major cities just in case they might have my boots, but alas, they just weren't carried in European stores.

It wasn't until after it started snowing and I'd decided that I needed a more sturdy pair of winter boots for spending Christmas in Northern Sweden that I finally found a pair of my boots. They weren't even my size, or the right brown, and now that I'm going to Africa I definitely don't need them. But maybe I can get them for my next trip? For now I'll just have to settle for being bootless. But it's the traveling that's important right? - not the shoes.

As Matt Mays says,

"Good-bye girl gone to see the world,
Out to see every thing you choose
Now it's becoming so clear
That your feet are planted deep
In your travellin' shoes"

Top 5 Songs - "I can do this! Aka my motivational blogging playlist"

Here is what will hopefully be my first "Top 5 Songs" playlist. Since I recently started this blog and have in the past started and given up on 8/9 previous blogs it is appropriately titled "I can do this! Aka my motivational blogging playlist." It's pretty much just five songs I happen to enjoy or happen to be listening to at the moment, but hopefully they will keep me blogging in the future. If you have any motivational techniques or songs that inspire you to share with a new blogger please post a comment below! 

 

1. Lessons Learned by Matt and Kim

2. And The Boys by Angus and Julia Stone

3. You've Got the Love (The XX Remix) by Florence and the Machine

 

4. Chelsea Morning by Joni Mitchell

5. Love is a Chain by Jason Collett

The New Object of My Affection - Matt & Nat's Byrne Bag

Even though I'm currently on the road and I have no need for a new handbag, I can dream can't I? Since my current wardrobe is so limited sometimes I like to browse my favourite online shops. I toy with the idea of shipping things to my parents house to welcome me when I get home, but so far I've resisted. Today, while editing my favourite things page I found myself browsing the Matt & Nat website. While perusing the sale items I found their Byrne bag. Since I almost always opt for a more brightly coloured bag, I don't actually have a nice black handbag. And it would make the perfect handbag to take on interviews when I come home and need a job. Maybe somebody nice will buy it for me for my birthday...

Matt by Matt & Nat's Byrne Handbag in Black

Time to Update My Ipod with Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2010

Once a year on January 26th, Australia Day, I tackle the time difference from Australia to Vancouver and try to catch some of triple j's hottest 100. It is my favourite radio station and, I think, far superior to any Vancouver radio station. Since I've been traveling I haven't always had the internet connection needed to listen to triple j and I feel like I've been missing out on new music. That's why I'm so excited for the Hottest 100, it will supply me with the years hottest music to update my iPod with and entertain me on all the long bus rides that are coming up as I head with my boyfriend to Turkey and the middle east.
Since I'm currently in Northern Sweden, I unfortunately slept through the majority of the Hottest 100 and woke up just in time to boot up my macbook for song number 3.

The top five songs of the countdown are:

• #05 Boy & Bear - Fall At Your Feet;
• #04 Birds of Tokyo - Plans;
• #03 Ou Est Le Swimming Pool - Dance The Way I Feel;
• #02 Little Red - Rock It; and
• #01 Angus and Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane

Since Angus and Julia Stone are one of my favourite musical duos, I'm very happy that they were voted into the top spot this year. I already have their album A Book Like This, on which Big Jet Plane is featured, but I'm excited to peruse the rest of the list for new tracks to check out and add some new albums to my music collection. Visit the triple j website for the full list, pics of the many Australia Day celebrations, or just to listen.

Angus and Julia Stone - Their track Big Jet Plane is the number 1 song on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2010

 

I ♥ Vintage: Amsterdam's On and Offline Shop for Vintage and Vintage-inspired Clothing

I ♥ Vintage's Online Shop

After spending months backpacking around Europe, going from H&M to Zara to Bershka and Promod and back to H&M again, I was frustrated with the lack of quality shopping and the lack of anything unique (and affordable). Perhaps it's because we're a little behind the runways of France and Italy, but in Vancouver I know that if I want a certain style of clothing there's a shop I can go to get it. And because it's my hometown I also know which independent boutiques carry the brands and styles I like. But in the unfamiliar, bustling cities of Europe I could only find the same stores carrying the same trends from street to street. How profitable three of the same store in a 2 block radius can be I don't know, but they seemed to be surviving.

I soon came to the conclusion that my backpack wouldn't be overflowing with fabulous European fashion pieces by the time the journey was over, but I couldn't help looking. Luckily, after a visit to the fascinating Anne Frank Huis museum in Amsterdam, I wandered past a small shop with a rack of sweaters and items on display just outside their front door. A gray sweater caught my eye and I dragged my boyfriend in to look around. The store was called I Love Vintage, and I love it. It was unique and offered a selection of new "vintage-inspired" items in store along with a computer for browsing their large selection of vintage items, which they would bring out for you to view and try on once you'd requested them from the computer. The best news I learned as I purchased by vintage-inspired, comfy gray sweater, their shop is online and they ship internationally! With 93 pages of vintage handbags alone on their website, I know that when my year of world travel is over and I'm no longer living out of a backpack, I'll be perusing their site and hopefully adding a few of their unique pieces to my wardrobe.

I Love Vintage was my answer to the mass-produced, made in asia, sold on the street, tacky tourist shopping I'd mainly seen on my trip so far. I'm sure there are more wonderful stores all over Europe but it takes a bit of luck or some time in the city to find them. If you know any local or unique shops in your city or a city you've visited and you'd like to share post a comment! I'd love to visit them if I ever make it there - which I hope I will!

I love this dress/skirt! Photos from I Love Vintage website.

My sweater in beige. Photos from I Love Vintage website.