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?