#OttEuropeanInvasion Food Inspiration – Mojito

We are starting a little series inspired by the all the glorious food we tasted while we were away on the #otteuropeaninvasion! (We know, we know, we still need to post our pictures from the trip! Caroline has finished her grueling finals and is coming home on Tuesday and then we will get right to work!)
Since it is Friday, I thought that I would kick off the series with a cocktail to get you in the mood for the weekend!  While in Barcelona we ate at a vibrant Mexican restaurant, Rosa Negra, recommended to me by my friend Erika.  It was so delicious.   I was particularly impressed by their take on a Mojito.  I took some notes and played with the ingredients when I got home.mojito

Here is what you need:
1TB of RAW sugar
1/2 of a lime
5-6 mint leaves
2oz of white rum
2 dashes of bitters
ice
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Into a glass, add the sugar. Squeeze in the juice from the lime and then throw the lime into the glass, as well. Tear up the mint leaves and add. Muddle these ingredients. (This is my first time muddling, people!! I usually use a cocktail shaker.)mojito2

Add the rum and the bitters. Add ice and top it off with club soda.mojito4

I think it’s a nice change of pace from a regular mojito.  It’s not as sweet.  If you are someone who likes a sweet drink, I would add in some agave when you are muddling.mojito5 mojito6

Cheers to the weekend!!

Movie Review – The Grand Budapest Hotel

There are two types of people.

People who like Wes Anderson movies and People who DON’T like Wes Anderson movies.

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When I told a couple people that I was going to go see The Grand Budapest Hotel, the responses I got were either… I heard it wasn’t good or so and so saw it and they didn’t like it.  I was a little discouraged but then remembered…

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When you watch one of Wes Anderson’s movies you should know that you are in for a quirky, absurd, imaginative and aesthetically beautiful wild ride…. so I say to you (and myself) let yourself go on that wild ride.  Throw logic out the window, be in the moment and laugh!  His movies are funny!  And I was the only one in the theater laughing out loud!  I couldn’t believe it.

So what was this movie about?  Well, I guess I will let the actors tell you themselves…

Critics are saying this is Wes Anderson’s best movie yet!  Before I agree with them, I think I need to go back and re watch all of them.  But I would definitely say it is worth seeing… if you are open to it.

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The sets, the costumes, the props and the locations were all gorgeous.  You could tell that every little detail was thought of… I think Wes might be a little bit of a perfectionist.

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And the actors were all bringing their A game.  To recruit a cast that included Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray,  Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, Adrien Brody, Ed Norton, Jason Schwartzman (and the list goes on)… is awe inspiring… especially when most of them only had small parts in the movie.  It has to be a true testament to Wes Anderson.

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One of the reasons why I think I loved watching this movie so much was because I truly believed that every member of the cast, including Wes Anderson and his crew, had so much fun while shooting.  The reason why I laughed out loud some of the time was because I would just imagine them being on set and playing out some of the crazy scenes.   There seemed to be a genuine bond, respect and comradery with the whole cast that is not always seen in films.  I am sure this is why the same amazingly talented actors come back to work with Anderson film after film.

My Take Aways from This Movie:

1.  I know we get set in our ways and what we like and have a need to be in control… but sometimes we just need to sit back and relax and enjoy the show… in life (and in the movie theaters)!  Be open to new adventures, experiences, people and opportunities.

2.  Do what you love and love what you do… and then it won’t feel like work.

3.  Laugh out loud.  It’s good for you.

Photo Credit: IMDB, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6, 7, 8, 9,

Nice, France

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When we were planning our very last travel weekend, we were exhausted from all the papers and projects and presentations that were due just before finals. So, we decided we wanted somewhere a little bit warmer, somewhere with a beach, somewhere with a cute little town to explore, and somewhere with no major tourist attractions. We just wanted it to be simple, easy, relaxing, and beautiful. Nice, France was all of that!

We caught our very last 3:50am train to the airport ever. Then, at the airport just before getting on our plane, I stumbled upon magazines from AMERICA.

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I nearly died. There was even a Martha Stewart Wedding magazine that I hadn’t seen yet! Boo ya. I splurged on the over priced imported magazines because I just couldn’t wait any longer. And besides, I would need something to do while sitting on the beach!

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We arrived at our hotel by 9:00am and we were ready to start our day. We grabbed some breakfast at our hotel and made reservations for dinner that night. Then, we wandered along the beach until we found the perfect spot to sit and relax and read magazines. The only thing missing was a couple of pina coladas. So, we hopped up and walked along the beach until we found a restaurant that served drinks on the beach. Bingo! Pina Coladas coming right up.

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At the end of the day, we wandered around the cute little town and grabbed some dinner. We also stumbled upon a gelato place with about 70 different flavors. So, of course, we stopped for some dessert and I found my new favorite flavor: Lavender!

The next morning, we grabbed brunch in town at the cutest little cookie café ever.

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Then, we wandered every little street of the old part of town and stopped to get some gelato half way through the day of course. You can never have too much. And it was our last opportunity for some European gelato.

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We had dinner, where we celebrated our year abroad with some champagne. And then sat there for about 3 hours just talking. It felt like we had only been there for half that time. I guess it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun. Either that or we have officially become like the Europeans, who eat really long dinners like that every night! It was such a great place to end our year of traveling all over Europe.

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