Five Likes Tuesday

A delightful cake to go with my afternoon Green tea. 

{Update: Madeira cake (above) is a sponge cake with a firm texture. Despite its name, it does not include Madeira, nor did it originate from the Madeira Islands.}

I enjoy creating collections of perfume bottles.

Most perfume bottles, even those not designed by famous artists, can be seen as works of art, for they often have beautiful, aesthetic, and unique designs.
Since 1946 The Dior Perfumery has been developing the art of the perfumer.
Not only do I like this strongly seductive, mild, and romantic scent, I also like this transparent flask with a glass ribbon below the top. How beautiful this perfume bottle is!!

It's strange, but it's true. At this time of year, I begin to dream of spring's extravaganzas of daffodils and peonies.

Drakes Island from Torpoint, Cornwall, looks hauntingly charming in winter. Don't you think?

Newark Liberty International Airport. New York, NY.

My grandpa arrived in New York, NY from Belgium just over 60 years ago. Perhaps it was romance that got the better of him, but even before he met my grandma, he had decided to stay.
He told me he thought New York had all the good things that his native Brussels was busy losing.
I've been to New York twice, but there never seems to be enough time to explore and see the sights you like when you visit a city. I'm more than ever determined to get there as soon as possible.

What are your favourite things this week? I'd love to hear. xx

Have a Happy Weekend!

{I know I could have cut this little twig in the foreground out of the picture using photoshop, but I like it as it is. I love realness.}

Recipe for Happiness. In order to be happy I need:
Something to love, something to do, and something to hope for pet!

What are you up to this weekend? We're taking a little road trip, and I look forward to catching up with you next Tuesday.

My lovelies, hope you have a wonderful, fun weekend! xx

I liked this hilarious YouTube video by yourfriendy. Oh my gosh, those kitties are ridiculously funny!

 

Some Things About Me (De Profundis)

So, I used to be a health freak. I watched everything that I ate, was an excessive exerciser, but then I re-evaluated my decisions and took a step back and joined the "normal" folks. For a while I was I guess kind of critical of what others did or didn't do, but no one wants to be lectured to. You don't have to be obsessed over what you eat and how much you exercise. I am now practicing moderation...moderation is the key to life, in my opinion.

Mayo and olive paste. You can spread it on crackers, or put it in a sandwich with ham and cheese and a fresh sliced tomato. Yum!

I'm a fan of healthy homemade food, but every once in a while, it's fun to change things up a bit.  

I tend to use my favourite photos from my trips as inspiration. These (above) are some of my favourites from my last trip to England.

I get attached to things. Holding on some things from the past-old letters, photos, decorative items, mementos of past delightful events- it is important to my sanity. When I lose something that was special to me I get sad for days...

I believe in friendship, but I don't appreciate being bad treated by that so-called "friend".
It is really shameful to be ungrateful to someone who has been exceptionally good to us.
I value my friends and I do a lot for them. I just want to be appreciated; it would be nice to get some thanks occasionally. (I almost feel selfish for writing this...). But nothing wounds more deeply than ingratitude.

To me, a true friend is someone you can lean on when you need support, someone who always has your back, someone who cares enough to ask how you and yours are doing.
I always try to let my friends know that I'll always be there for them; and as Samuel Pepys said-mighty proud I am that I am able to have a spare bed for my friends.
Okay, those were some things you may not know about me.

What about you? xx

Update: An award-winning famous Greek film director/producer and one of my beloved film makers Theodoros Angelopoulos died today after being hit by a motorcycle. I'm socked and saddened by his loss... 

Blue Hour: Plymouth Barbican + Have a Romantic Weekend!

The old harbour sparkles at sunset as night descends over Plymouth Barbican. While in Plymouth nothing had brought me so much pleasure than walking around and taking pictures of the old harbour area of Plymouth, Devon, England...

marvelling (marveling) at the tranquility and the stars above.

It wasn't nighttime, but the view was still magical and romantic.

May night had fallen soft and warm, enwrapping with its grape-bloom colour and its scents the billion caprices, intrigues, passions, longings, and the regrets of men and women.

John Galsworthy, The Forsyte Saga.

Hope you have a happy weekend, my lovelies! xx

Plus a Cut and Dry post about Plymouth Barbican  and Barbican photos you may have missed.

Have a Delicious Weekend + Coca-Cola

An 1890's ad showing Hilda Clark, an American model and actress in formal 19th century attire. The advertisement is entitled: "Drink Coca-Cola 5c/. How awesome is this ad!

Coca-Cola is no doubt, the most recognized brand in the world, sold in more than 200 countries, and one of the symbols of America. Is there anywhere in the world that doesn't sell it? You may travel to the ends of the earth...then you'll find a Coca-Cola ad. How amazing!

The famous Coca-Cola bottle was created by bottle designer Earl R. Dean in 1915. The prototype never made it to production since its middle diameter was larger than its base, making it unstable on conveyor belts. 

Today's Coca-Cola bottle; almost similar in shape to the original 1915 concept drawing by Earl R. Dean. What a pretty bottle design! 

Try adding a slice of lemon to your Coke. It makes it taste surprisingly good. (At least for my taste buds.)

I rarely drink Coke, but I do like it when I drink it. I think it's great after a good, greasy meal. My favourite soda is Cherry Coke. The cherry flavour is subtle but definitely there, it tastes pretty darn good and exactly like a cherry coke should.

What is your favourite soft drink? Do you like Coca-Cola? xx

(Top photo via Wikipedia)

Five Likes Tuesday

There's something about macarons that is so undeniably festive.

So, how do you jump that gap from holidays back to your regular routine? I don't know about you, but I am still trying to get back in the groove with my tasks and goals, I guess; I am still trying to return to my hurried and hectic life after a relaxing holiday.
I've had a quiet but lovely holiday week filled with extra special time with friends and family, and lots of delicious food. I've even managed to squeeze in some time to just relax after all the hustle and bustle of December - and I am feeling guilty, (not really) about devouring all my favourite foods. I admit it. I just can't get enough of them...

You gotta love baby kittens!

Cheese and Crackers. The perfect snack!

Rich, smooth, buttery chocolate.

Did you know that the world's most expensive Chocolate Truffle is "Chocopologie" by Knipschildt?
(It is approx. $2,600 per pound. Each piece of the chocolate is presented in a special box - for $250.) Omg!

Fresh-baked multi-grain bread rolls and butter.

I love fresh-baked bread. If there were no bread I would have no reason to live! ;) One of the worst things that ever happened was when carbs got a bad reputation!

What is your most favourite food that you can't get enough of? I'd love to hear! xx