LUSH Kitchen Mini Haul

00.0000.00 / darphynia / Leave a comment

This little box o’ happiness
came sooner than I expected.

A look inside the box.

I recently made a purchase through the Lush UK site. Even with shipping the products can be cheaper. Things have changed, so the difference isn’t as good as it used to be, but I digress. About a week ago I bought a few things, and the parcel arrived exactly 7 days after it was dispatched. I’m not sure if every product is unwrapped when it ships, but everything was this time (except for the soap). When I have placed orders in the past, products were usually wrapped in a cellulose film with an ingredient list sticker. I digress… What’s in the box? Well, let’s take a look!

The products, unboxed!

1. Mouthwash Tabs

Two of the three they offered.

More fun little Polaroid cards…
not sure what to do with them.

Both of these mouthwash tabs have menthol in them. If you aren’t a fan, then I suggest skipping them the next time they are available. Personally, I love menthol– it opens up my sinuses. To use them, pop one in your mouth sip some water. Next, chew it up, just as you would with a toothy tab. Swish, spit, and you’re ready to go! These are are less compressed than the toothy tabs, and break up quite fast. You can also feel them fizz because of the combination of ingredients. Each bottle contains approximately 75 tabs. The were a Kitchen item, and I don’t think they’re available anymore. But, they may bring it back.

Creme de Menthe

Green, shimmery, and minty!

These little tabs really pack a punch. They are very minty because they contain peppermint powder AND peppermint oil. My mouth was first hit by the saltiness of the baking soda. Next came the menthol, followed by mint and a hint of sweet. The cooling effect lasted for about 30 minutes. I think that is mostly because I didn’t have anything to eat or drink in that time.

Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

Light, shimmery yellow tabs!

This product smells like a lemon & menthol cough drop. They have a real Asian herbalist quality to them. Because of the sweetener, there is a definite diet-taste to them. Initially I was hit by sour/salty flavor, followed by a stinging sensation and that sweet, diet flavor. It, literally, tastes like a super strong Ricola (save for the diet part). My mouth felt refreshed thanks to the menthol, but there was a little bit of grit, simply because of the formula. This tab didn’t foam as much as I expected it to, but I could feel it breaking apart, due to the acids and baking soda reacting with the liquid. There was also an aftertaste of diet-y sweetness, lemon, and menthol, but it didn’t last more than about 10 minutes for me.

2. Hairy McClairy Solid Shampoo

I think this looks like a light green, melting Rice Krispy bar.

During Valentine’s there was a product that smelled remarkably similar to this shampoo, mixed with something else that I can’t pinpoint. Maybe Prince Charming? Ugh, I can’t remember. This solid shampoo is supposed to help with testy scalps, and because of the weather, my scalp is really off. I have been using it every other day. It does do a thorough job of cleaning my hair, and leaves it conditioned and shiny. I have noticed that my hair doesn’t get greasy as fast (thanks to an oily scalp), but no other noticeable changes. Maybe it takes more than a few washes to see the change.

3. Soap

Hippy Cold-Pressed Soap

I think that’s supposed to be a lion in the center…

This is probably one of my least favorite products, scent-wise. It’s very strong of patchouli, and reminds me of the lumber department at Home Depot. I have not used it because I actually bought it for a friend. I’m sure you’re wondering why I would say something negative that I bought for someone else. Well, she loves patchouli, so I figured it would be the perfect for her. Sadly, the center doesn’t look like anything recognizable…

Quinquireme of Nineveh

Sam made the soap!

The smell of this milky, white soap reminds me of Trichomania. It contains coconut, orange and vanilla oils, as well as other nourishing ingredients. I really want to try this on my hair to see how it works out. I liked the little Polaroid card with the photo of who made the soap (Sam).

4. Solid Conditioners

I have tried the U.S versions of these two solid conditioners, and wanted to see if the formula was any different. I have purchased Ocean Salt from the U.S. and U.K. stores, and both were different. The U.K. version had more salt and was a different color. One thing I have noticed with the solid conditioners is that I really only notice its effectiveness after my hair is completely dry. The same hold for the Avocado Co-Wash (read more about that here).

Sugar Daddy-O

Goes great with the Daddy-O shampoo.

This bar matches the shampoo in color (minus the shimmer) and fragrance. It is supposed to be more for blondes as it helps to rid tame brassy tones. The shampoo was great for my hair (brown w/gold & red tones) as it kept it shiny and beautiful. I have yet to try this conditioner, but I hope it works as well as the U.S. one.

The Plumps

Got about ½ as much as the Daddy-O . *sad*

I have been using this for the past three days, and I have not noticed a difference (yet). The scent is really indescribable; earthy/herbal with a sweet finish is the best I can describe it. The scent does not linger in my hair. While my hair feels conditioned, it is NOT more voluminous. Also, if you’re thinking that the bar will look like the picture, it doesn’t as far as the color is concerned. It is a much deeper pink. Do you remember the Easter LifeSavers? The pink one was cotton candy, and that’s what the photo reminded me of.

5. Samples

Thank you so much to
whoever provided all of these!

In the comments box, I asked to sample the new toothy tabs, since we don’t have them in the U.S. yet. They were kind enough to send me samples of ALL of the tooth products! Obviously I have not tried them yet, but as I do, I will provide updates. I think it’s interesting that they have left the Toothy Tabs in their pre-pressed, powder form, and have pressed nearly all of the new flavors.

Limelight

Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

BOOM!

Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

Oral Pleasure

Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

Atomic (powder)

Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

Ultrablast (powder)

Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

BLING!

BLING! tabs are covered in a light gold shimmer powder.

Between the old tabs and this one, I have to say this is one of my least favorites. I was excited because I love orange, well anything citrusy really. I should have realized, though, that the guarana powder and frankincense oil would overpower the flavor. I do like the tab easily broke apart when I chewed it, unlike the old ones. The old tabs would leave me spitting out big chunks of product no matter how much I chewed them.

Miles of Smiles

Image courtesy of lush.co.uk

Tooth Fairy (powder)

Not the best photo. You can’t see the sparkles, but they’re there.

Have you used any of the new LUSH products? Let me know if you have a new favorite, or what you’d like to try.

Stay beautiful!

Razer Blade Stealth

00.0000.00 / darphynia / Leave a comment

In case you didn’t know, I L-O-V-E Razer. They make wonderful, efficient gaming gear among other products. I have pretty much everything Chroma. Is it necessary? No, but it’s aesthetically pleasing; plus, there are millions of color options. Who doesn’t love customization? When the Razer Blade Stealth was unveiled at CES, it won a “Best of CES; Best PC” award. They then made history, as Razer won their sixth consecutive “Best of CES” award. I am so proud to know the people behind the brand.

Image courtesy of razerzone.com

The Stealth currently on sale, which varies in price (i.e. $1,599.99 reduced to $1,449.99 for 512GB, UHD). Side note: If you have the student discount, save it. The current sale price is a better option. You also get FL Studio 12 included with your purchase. I was fortunate enough to get one, and all I can say is, “WOW!” The picture clarity is amazing– minute details I never knew were there are visible. It weighs in at 2.75 pounds compared to the MacBook Air, which weighs 2.38 pounds. Currently there is no hardshell case for it, but some companies offer skins. The one brand with the highest reviews is dbrand. They have some fun customization options, and can be re-adjusted. I wish it had come with a sleeve or something to protect it, even though most laptops/ultrabooks do not.

This ultrabook is incredible! The touchscreen is very receptive. I need to get a screen protector; don’t know about you, but fingerprints on the screen drives me nuts. The backlighting on the keys can be adjusted, and there are millions of combinations to make it your own. You can customize profiles to fit your wants. I have a profile for WoW, which only lights up keys used for MMORPGs (there are various gaming settings). I also have one for daily use, which is spectrum cycling, that cycles through all different colors. There is also a breathing option, where the colors pulsate. Options that I haven’t listed are noted here. My desktop setup has the colors sync together (keyboard, mouse, headphones, mousepad).

The downside to the Stealth is that it does heat up quite fast. If you have it on your lap, it might burn your legs. I always use a stand (it came with a fan), so it’s not an issue for me. I highly recommend getting one if you decide to purchase this. I also read that the battery life is not the greatest (unplugged), but I generally always have my laptops plugged in. Fingerprints definitely show on the outer parts of the ultrabook, which isn’t pretty, but that’s why they have skins. Should you decide to purchase the Stealth (especially if you’re a gamer), I recommend getting the 512GB, since space is limited already, and the last thing you want is a computer without space. The first thing I installed was WoW, and it actually plays even without the Razer Core. In case you were wondering, I did not purchase the Core simply because of the price. As much as I love Razer, it seems as though they are starting to price themselves out.

Pros:

Visual quality/clarity
Gaming capabilities
Chroma (not necessary, but it’s beautiful!)
Speaker quality/clarity
Small power brick (fabric-covered cord)
Lightweight
Travel-friendly
HDMI port
2 USB ports

Cons:

Can overheat fast
Battery life is low
Generally does not play high-end games without the Core

I’m sure there are more cons, but overall this has been one of my favorite products. I have only had it for a couple of days, so after more use I will update this post.

Do you have the Stealth or a Razer system? What are your thoughts?

Did Someone Say, "DEMON HUNTER"?!

00.0000.00 / darphynia / Leave a comment

It seems like just yesterday Legion was announced at BlizzCon, and now we can finally create Demon Hunters. I am a couple of days late on this, but I am still super excited about Demon Hunters in WoW. I haven’t created a character yet, but I will in the next couple of days. Currently, Demon Hunters can only be Blood Elves or Night Elves, but I’m hoping that changes. How awesome would it be to have a Gnome Demon Hunter?! I think s/he would be simply adorable…and deadly. If you would like to learn more about Demon Hunters, wowhead.com has a breakdown that you can read here.

Image courtesy of wowhead.com

There are also new cinematics, and the loss of prominent figures for both Horde and Alliance. If you would like to see the Broken Shore cinematic, courtesy of Robor, click below.

Once I have a character, I will post its progress as well as my opinions. What are you looking forward to most with Legion? Have you created your Demon Hunter?

#GamersUnite

Italy, Day 7b: Lake Maggiore

00.0000.00 / darphynia / Leave a comment

Day 7b: Lake Maggiore

**I wrote this when I got to the hotel, hence the tense.**

Our patio.

The room. Yes, there are 2 beds.

A view of the lake from the patio.

After quite a lengthy drive from our last hotel near Venice, we arrived at Hotel Simplon, which overlooks Lake Maggiore. The ceiling was made of stained glass, and the dining hall reminded me of a fancy hall from a 1940’s movie: chandeliers, white tablecloths, and a view of the yard and mountains. Did I mention that it has been raining all day with few breaks? It is currently pouring outside the room. Unfortunately, due to the rain, we were not able to utilize the outdoor patio area. It’s so lovely, and even has AstroTurf! A small fence separates the patios from the rest of the yard. It is located in the mountains, but (if you haven’t been here) it’s not quite what you think. They aren’t mountains like we know them in California. The roads were not as steep and windy as I had anticipated. The air feels like that mountains, similar to Big Bear– crisp and clean. The trees are reminiscent of the mountains, but it doesn’t seem to be high altitude. I actually don’t know enough about the region to say. Regardless, it is a beautiful place, and I wish we could be here more than two nights. Dinner is being provided tonight. More on that after it happens. My friends and I are about to go to the market.

We are back from the market. I bought some chips (a Roasted Chicken and a Ketchup flavored), Fanta (it tastes like Orangina! Why don’t we have this kind of Fanta?!), and some mints. If I could have, I would have bought my cat some food, mostly because the packaging– it the shape of a cat’s head. I will post a photo of that below. It’s time to get ready for dinner. I really hope it’s good. Every provided meal has been hit-and-miss.

Such cute packaging!

So dinner was mediocre. I started out with the vegetable soup, which was very bland. I don’t remember the other option, but it was better than the soup. For our main course we had a choice between veal and fish. I don’t eat either, but I tried the fish since it was supposed to not be fishy. It wasn’t, but there were so many bones. I think that deboning a fish fillet should be mandatory worldwide. Anyway, after spending about 10 minutes picking out the bones I was able to eat it. The fish was served with green beans and potatoes. Dessert was canned fruit cocktail with some fresh fruit thrown in, and topped with ice cream. I shouldn’t complain about the food because there are plenty of starving people in the world. My gripe is, when you are paying for quality (it’s not free, but included in the price you pay for the tour, making it sound “free”), you should get quality. And while that definition isn’t “black and white”, the food should have been seasoned at least.

Table setting.

So many bones!

Soup.

The ice cream was nice.

Minimal (Zero) Waste Challenge

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Monday: The Beginning

Today was a pretty easy day, since I’ve been working from home. I haven’t purchased anything, and have been eating in. Conveniently, my leftovers were in a recyclable container, so there’s that. Starbucks has been calling (though I secretly long for a tea from Coffee Bean), but truth be told, I’m too comfortable to go. Plus, they end up tossing a cup anyway since they always measure in the plastic cups, with few exceptions. I normally get Youthberry tea, and when I take a jar, just have them fill it with room temperature water.

Tuesday: Oh, How I’m Failing

Okay, so today was a letdown of epic proportions. I had to purchase some mouth wash because I ran out, and it only comes in a plastic bottle. Before heading to the city I stopped at Starbucks for some tea, and had them just put some water in my jar along with the tea. By the time I got to the city it had done its cold brew thing, and I was all set. Lunch was a salad in a recyclable container, and for a sweet treat I put some M&Ms in a small glass jar. I had originally packed lunch in a tote I received while working a summer camp. That all flew out the window because I had an impromptu lunch with my best friend. I got a salad that came in a recyclable container, but it came with plastic utensils. Of course, I forgot to bring my own. Not only that, but the drinks normally come in a mason jar. . . if you dine in. Since we ordered online, there was no way to change the drink, and it came in a plastic cup. I was able to pour it into my jar, but having the cup defeated the purpose. Here’s hoping that dinner proves less challenging.

A side note: The one issue I know I will have will be at the grocery store. I buy most items in bulk, and they have the plastic bags there. While the thought of taking a reusable bag for bulk items is nice, I can see why they are not generally allowed. California is very strict when it comes to food safety. All it takes is one instance of cross-contamination to mess things up for everyone. Even though people wash the reusable bulk bags, and they may be clean by most standards, it is one more thing for the other consumers and retailers to be worried about. I have seen people stick their hands in bulk bins (always wash the products before you use them!), which is something markets and consumers have to deal with, along with a plethora of other possible issues. Reusable bulk item bags add another needle to that haystack. That being said, I will be taking my reusable shopping bags with me, and will reuse the bulk plastic bags until they fall apart. Maybe I can repurpose them. . . I’ll see what I can come up with.

Wednesday: Hump Day

Today is the first day we are out of town. I have packed a snack bag using jars—they weigh so much more than using small plastic snack bags, but it’s part of the challenge, right? I also brought along some empty jars in case we run into Coffee Bean or Starbucks. I have found that I prefer taking the jar for drinks, because I can pop the lid on and put it in my bag without the worry of it spilling. I just wish the stainless steel straw came with a pouch. We went to eat lunch, and I got a kid’s meal because it came with a lunch box! Is it plastic? Yes. Am I keeping it? No. I will be sending it off as part of a care parcel. The box is specifically for my friend’s grandson. It also was one of the only ways to get Gardein tenders, which I LOVE! Dinner was amazing, and I ended up with leftovers. I took a stainless steel lunchbox, since we have a cooler in the room, and put my leftovers in it. It will be lunch for tomorrow (I love being able to save in multiple ways).

Thursday: A New Day

Every day is a new day; a chance for a fresh start and a new beginning. This is the only full day of our trip, and I planned out what will happen during the day in terms of trash. I have my reusable items, and lunch is covered. I don’t normally eat in the morning because it makes me sick, so one less mealtime to worry about. Dinner will be at a restaurant, so I can put leftovers in my tin after I wash it out from lunch, and drinks will go in the jar. I suppose the jars are also a plus because it forces me to drink more water. I normally use my Kor or Camelbak, but I forgot them (>.<) If we choose to grab a pastry or something later in the evening, I will simply ask them to place it in my alternate tin. It will save from having to toss the paper and bag. Here’s hoping all of this pans out. At least there is a plan.

Friday: Workin’ for the Weekend

We are packed up to leave. First we will have lunch, and then it’s back to the “bump & grind”. We came back, and I put a load of clothes in. After that, I continued on a PowerPoint for an upcoming presentation. Tomorrow will be the day I work on finishing up an application that is required prior to site approval for my dissertation, followed by some product reviews. Tonight there was a surprise. It was a trip to a themed dinner! It was so exciting to get dinner and a show. I bought a drink in a glass souvenir cup and made sure that the bartender didn’t put a stir stick in it. Some of my dinner was left over, so I put it in the jar I normally use for drinks. They didn’t have takeaway utensils, which was a plus. Two more days of trying out this zero-waste thing. . . and it’s not as hard as I thought it would be.

Saturday: No
t Enough Hours in the Day

Today I am going to the store, and taking reusable bags. I won’t be buying from the bulk bins (see Tuesday’s bit for why), but I am going to get some produce and other goodies. The dairy alternative that I use is recyclable, and the CRV is refundable, which is why I don’t mind buying it. The plastic bottle gets recycled, and I get a little bit of change back. I also have to stop by the mall—Teavana has a few things I want to get with the Starbucks rewards that have been earned. I also want to stop by LUSH since I have a gift card. After all of this gets done in the morning, it’s off to Starbucks I go to get working on everything I listed yesterday. My goal is to complete: the application, at least 80% of the PowerPoint, and the product reviews.

Sunday: The End

Well, I made it. There were some trying times, but I managed to keep my trash to a minimum. I think I will continue this for another week just to see how I do. If nothing else, I learned that I was spending so much on “stuff” that I really didn’t need. In fact, I had buyer’s remorse after purchasing an organizer that I can’t really use. The idea was there, but when I received the item, it wasn’t as functional as I had hoped. Eh, such is life. I also learned that that less really can be more. I wasn’t able to get to the mall like I had planned, so I suppose I will do that in the next couple of days. I plan on getting some loose-leaf tea, bulk shampoo, and some soap samples.

Day 7a: Milan to Lake Maggiore

00.0000.00 / darphynia / Leave a comment

The BEST pizza flavored snack EVER!

On our way to Milan (Milano) we made a pitstop, and I picked up some of these crispy, pizza-flavored bread squares. They were the best snack item I have had in a long time. Why did I choose them? Well, I figured if the Italians couldn’t get pizza flavored snacks down, nobody could. They tasted of tomato, cheese, and basil, yet contained no cheese/milk products! Yes, they were…are…vegan. Anyway, if you ever see them, give them a try.

An old shopping center across from La Scala.

The first Prada Store.

We continued on to an old shopping center (Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan), which houses the first Prada store ever established (1913). Our local guide was so fun! She had a story about the families who controlled the area, and even got our group involved. After the shopping center we had some free time. We went into Duomo di Milano, then had lunch before heading to La Scala. The weather was cool and overcast. As we exited the galleria it began to rain…and then it began to pour…oh, and did I mention the wind?! It broke a couple of umbrellas, but it was still amazing.

The inside of the duomo.

Sumo di Milano.

The duomo is huge. It cost 2 euro, and took about an hour to really get through it. We stopped to take photos and look around because there was so much to see. Stained glass lined the walls, and there were crypts below with coffins and bodies of clergy long since passed. We finished at the duomo and went to grab some food at the galleria. I got a ravioli dish and split a meat sampler. The pesto ravioli was, by far, the worst thing I ate during free time. Little did I know they had a salad section behind another wall, with more than just arugula and tomatoes! Well, there’s always next time.

Cant’ even see the pasta…

Meat!

We had to quickly finish lunch in order to make it back to the meeting spot on time. Our local guide took us on a tour of Teatro all Scala. It was amazing! The acoustics in the building are something else. Several costumes were on display, and there were rooms with tobacco boxes, busts, and paintings from those who had performed there, or were prominent figureheads. I always want to know what it was like when these places were first built…what the language, dress, and atmosphere were like. Oh, to be able to travel back in time!

So excited to see inside La Scala!

After our tour of La Scala, we made another stop at a castle. I can’t remember the name, but it was extraordinary. It is so hard to comprehend that so many structures are hundreds to thousands of years old. They have withstood so much. This castle had a huge courtyard area with beautiful flowers. There were cats roaming around, and so much to see. If those walls could talk… The inside of the castle resembles a museum. Artifacts, artwork, a chapel, and so much more filled the castle. I wonder what was in the castle prior.

An outside look.

Another section of the castle.

Beautiful flowers were everywhere.

I LOVE cats!!!

LUSH: New Avocado Co-Wash & Queen Bee Updated

00.0000.00 / darphynia / Leave a comment

LUSH Cosmetics recently launched new hair care. There are more solid conditioners to choose from, as well as a new solid shampoo and a solid leave-in conditioner. When I was last in the shop I purchased a piece of Avocado Co-Wash (3.5oz/$15.95) and Queen Bee (3.5oz/$16.95). The shampoo is quite soft and pliable– much like the old version of Big Conditioner. You can either pinch a small piece off ands it, or use a whole chunk. I find that using a larger piece is far easier. It has a sweet, fruity (almost like Froot Loops or Trix), vinegar smell, but the smell once it is rinsed out is light and slightly sweet. My hair was left soft, hydrated (not oily), and shiny. I will definitely repurchase this. Since it’s in the shower and contains a lot of oils/butters, it might melt. It may also not last as long because of the same reason. I suggest keeping it in a container and pinching off a small portion. Lather it up in your hands and apply. It does not lather like their other solid & liquid shampoos. I used more than I needed to because I was looking for that signature shampoo lather. Oh, remember to remove the red wax (there is also wax on the outside of Queen Bee), otherwise it will just break apart and fall down the drain.

Avocado Co-Wash (wax removed).

I used Queen Bee after the gym: shampooed, rinsed, and rubbed the bar over my hair. I love that it is a leave-in, and being a solid means more room in my liquids bag when I travel. The scent is similar to a fake almond with other medicinal, floral, and sweet notes. It’s hard to describe, and while it’s not my favorite, it’s not the worst scent. Make sure to remove all of the wax, otherwise you’ll have bits in your hair. This is one product I will not purchase again. It left my hair very oily, and I had the same results as when I just used coconut oil. If you are going for a “wet hair” look, this will definitely give that.

For easier use, pinch off a small amount, let it melt (it melts pretty quickly), and rub it through my hair. Since my scalp gets quite oily, I only apply leave-in conditioners from about the base of my skull, down. The same applies to conditioners that rinse out.

**I tried using the product as a balm, and it did help with the little fly-aways, but it’s still not my favorite. I prefer a pomade or flexible mousse.**

Queen Bee.

My hair is completely dry,
but the oils make it look wet.

As you can see, there are tons of oils and butters in the products. My fingertips are shiny, and I only held the bars for a few seconds to take the pictures, and film one small clip to show how soft the shampoo is. I filmed twice, and neither saved.

So shiny!

Have you tried any of the new hair product line? Let me know what your hits & misses are.

Stay beautiful!

Renegade Craft Fair Los Angeles, 2016

00.0000.00 / darphynia / Leave a comment

My best friend and I now have annual things we go to. One of them is Renegade Craft Fair in LA. This past weekend was the summer show, so we went on Saturday. After having brunch at Crossroads Kitchen (it was pricey, but really good!), we grabbed some tea at Alfred’s and headed over.

Renegade is a neat spot where local, small businesses can showcase their wares. They have everything from home decor to food, jewelry, clothes, etc. Most everything is handmade, or at least partly handmade. I love supporting local, small businesses, so I got a couple of things. I bought a deodorant spray and solid from Cee Cee & Bee, a cold brew bottled coffee from Knight Owl Coffee, washable face pads from Facekins (you can read my review here), and some Health-Ade kombucha because I like the taste. It was hot (of course it was; it’s SoCal in July), but not as bad as last year. The prices for the products can be a bit astronomical, in my opinion. For instance, ~$180.00 for a canvas tote bag seems a bit excessive, but there are some pretty great finds.

The fair is located at the Grand Park, past the fountain and splash area. There are several tents, food trucks, and bathrooms/port-o-privies (thank goodness!), which means there is plenty to see.

This door is a unicorn riding a bike!

Tea & Water

“Cheese” plate w/dried fruit,
nuts, and bread

“Chicken” and waffles w/spicy
maple syrup.

Benedict (our least favorite).

This sign in the bathroom…

Potatoes!

Mint tea w/soy milk & boba.

Lollipops w/plantable sticks!

The fair is located at the Grand Park, past the fountain and splash area. There are several tents, food trucks, and bathrooms/port-o-privies (thank goodness!), which means there is plenty to see.

My purchases for the day. Sorry for the crappy photo!

A view of the fair.

T-we Tea

Some fun jewelry

Frost’D

More Frost’d

I think my cat was the
inspiration for this card!

Oh, Hello Friend

After we finished at Renegade, we went to see the Lotus Festival, and then grabbed some dinner at Sage. It was so good! The first time we tried to go there the kitchen had closed. This time, they were open. We split nachos and each got a bowl. The jackfruit “carnitas” nachos came piled high with pickled jalapeño cabbage, jackfruit “carnitas”, cashew nacho “cheese”, pico de gallo, and black beans. I got the Brazilian Bowl, which had plantains, kale, pico
de gallo, guacamole, fried leeks & jalapeño, mushrooms, and a rice/quinoa combo. A raw, sweet, spicy, sauce was served on the side. My BFF got the Bowl of Soul, which contained a fried “mac & cheese” ball (the breading was made with almond flour, and really delicious), biscuit & gravy, sweet potato, grilled corn, black beans, quinoa, kale, and pickled jalapeño cabbage. We also had KindKreme after, which was yummy. Many of the flavors are less creamy than traditional ice cream, so I would suggest a chocolate flavor. They have a far less icy texture & flavor than the other flavors.

So many booths and people!

Lake view 1.

Lake view 2.

Jackfruit “carnitas” nachos.

Brazilian Bowl w/plantains.

The Bowl of Soul.

The sunset over Los Angeles.

Italy, Day 6: Venice, Part II

00.0000.00 / darphynia / Leave a comment

Day 6: Venice, Part II

For a few euro, you can take a photo with them.

It was raining on the boat, but I got the angle.

So much graffiti!

The second day in Venice was filled with walking. First, we stopped at a Murano glass company where we watched a demo, followed by a walking tour with a local specialist. It was overcast and drizzling for a better part of the day, but nobody minded. Venice, especially, is not for people who have a difficult time walking. Because Venice is comprised of several small islands, there are tons of bridges and stairs. It’s not that they are steep. They are very abundant and uneven. The steps have warped from centuries of people walking on them. Anyway, our local specialist was this adorable older woman, who grew up in Venezia. She pointed out how much has changed since in the time she has been there. The water level keeps rising, but the government isn’t really doing anything to fix it. So people do not live on the first floor because the water at high tide comes in. You can see the wood rot and algae from the years of water damage. She showed us several wells, gardens, and passageways. In one courtyard there was a pulley system. As the residents age, they are no longer able to climb up and down the stairs in their homes, so they stay in the living areas. People bring them groceries and other necessities, which are then hoisted up by the pulley. At the end of our tour we were able to walk around on our own. We stopped at St. Mark’s Basilica, and grabbed a dessert.

Duomo

St. Mark’s.

Dessert.

Everyone met back at the docks so we could head to our next stop: Burano. Burano is an old fishing village known for its colorful houses and handmade lace. It is such a fun place to go. The dinner for the night consisted of seafood dishes that were special to the area. Normally I am not a fish eater (unless it’s not fishy tasting). Our tour director asked me what I would prefer, because the place also offered meat courses. I opted to stick with the local catch. The courses were: creamy shrimp risotto, calamari and shrimp fritti, spaghetti with clams, and white fish with arugula salad. Desserts were local special cookies (to be dipped in wine) and almond brittle, paired with an amaretto shot. After dinner we had time to explore the island and peek in the shops. Many of them sold lace and dry foods (mostly pasta). One of the shops had a lace museum with a lace-only dress from the 1800s.

An old, lace dress.

The main street in Burnao.

Table settings.

Shrimp risotto.

Spaghetti with clams.

Fritti!

Fish with salad.

Cookies & brittle.

After the short stroll through Burano it was time to get back on the boat. We went to the hotel and packed up for the next day. It was going to be a long ride to our next destination, so we packed as soon as we got back. Until we meet again, Venice!

So long, Burano!

Italy, Day 5: Assisi to Venice, Plus: GONDOLAS!

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Day 5: Assisi to Venice & Gondolas

Street performance.

Giulietta.

The famous balcony.

Venice (Venezia) is home to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Giulietta). Yes, the people did exist, but their story is that of fantasy, as far as we know. The famed balcony where Juliet begins with, “Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” is quite an attraction. You can enter the balcony, but I believe they charge. At the archway to the balcony, on a wall opposite the arch, and within the small courtyard, people have written and posted love notes or the initials of whom they are with. In hindsight I wish I had done that. I may never get another opportunity. Anyway there is a statue of Juliet near the balcony. Part of the statue is far more shiny than others. Why? Well, for some reason (and nobody really knows why), those who take a photo with the statue often fondle her breasts.

Kissing bridge.

Canal.

Duomo.

One of many beautiful buildings.

We saw a mini version of the Colosseum. I forget the name, but it was just like a scaled-down version. Part of the outer wall still stands. The actual Colosseum used to have an outer wall just like this one, but it has since been destroyed. In the square there were street performers, and many, many tourists. We had some free time for lunch, so we stopped at this random caffé. I just found the name: Caffè Paganotto. Others from our tour were passing by and decided to join us. I got a toast lunch set which included a ricotta and prosciutto toast (it was enough for two), mixed fresh fruit (macedonia), and a drink for 10 euro. I always got acqua frizzante (sparkling water) because it helped to settle my stomach. They had a variety of toasts, pizzas, and pasta dishes, as well as meal sets.

A mini Colosseum.

Macedonia (mixed fruit).

Prosciutto & Ricotta toast.

Did you say, “Gondola ride?” Well, don’t mind if I do. We took a boat through the main canal to get to our gondolas. There are so many boats; it’s amazing how there aren’t more accidents! On the way to our stop we went under a bridge. The rule is that, if it is your first time going under the bridge, you have to kiss someone. Kind of awkward if you’re on a boat with random people, but we made it work. There are so many fantastic mansions in Venice. It’s a shame that it will someday be under water. After the initial boat ride we stopped and walked over to the gondola area. We learned so much about the gondoliers. They do not sing like the movies would have you believe, and many own their own boats. There are musicians available for a price, and the gondoliers have patrons enter in a certain order for even weight distribution. Otherwise, the boat is liable to tip over!

One of many alleyways.

A little ornament on the gondola.

Some of the wonderful people on our tour.

After the gondolas we headed to the hotel on Lido, which was ornately decorated on the outside. There was a nice outdoor seating area with a bar, and a few gelato stands just down to road. Everyone went to his or her rooms to unwind and get ready for dinner. The dinner was a green risotto, followed by pork with a carrot mash and peas. Dessert was a thick mousse-like lemon cream topped with nuts. It was okay. Not the best, but not the worst either. After dinner a few of us took a walk down to the beach, and on the way back to the room, grabbed some gelato.