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December 07 2015

Stroopies: Authentic Dutch Stroopwafels

 

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Strolling through the Pop-Up Christmas Village Shops in Prince Street Park, I stumbled upon the Dutch Stroopwafel. Walk into the cozy Stroopie shop and you watch a stroopwafel being freshly made.

What is a Stroopwafel? A cookie dough ball pressed thin with a waffle iron, sliced, and then filled with a reservoir of homemade caramel in the center. The purpose is to cover your hot beverage (tea or coffee) with the stroopwafel and let the heat and steam soften the entire cookie and caramel. They also have Wilbur-chocolate dipped, pecan topped and expresso variations. I can’t decide whether my favorite part of the shop is watching the homemade caramel being drizzled onto the stroopie, or the fact that you can sample the flavors before purchasing!

This delectable treat was made with locally sourced ingredients has a mission that is near and dear to my heart. Both of my parents were refugees and without the help and kindness of others, it would have been a lot harder for them to go to college and get the professional careers they have today. Stroopies offers meaningful employment opportunities to refugees with a focus on providing a safe place for them to break down social, linguistic, and cultural barriers.

Have a stroopie! Support local refugees to help build a better future for our little community.

Love, &annabelle

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December 03 2015

Artisan Feature: 40th Parallel Leather Goods

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Would you believe me if I told you this gorgeous parachute bag was designed and handcrafted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania? Sometimes we are mislead into thinking that we need to travel to experience history.

On a visit to 40th Parallel Leather Goods studio, I had the pleasure of meeting Laurie and Peter Eaton and found that not only are their goods amazing, but they weave their family history right into their products. Being a 2-person quintessential small business team, Laurie and Peter design and craft all of their products by hand. The parachute bag pictured above is one of my favorites from their collection. The bag design was inspired by Laurie’s father, Stan who was a member of the 11th Airbourne Division, 127th Airbourne Engineering Battalion, honoring his WWII journey from Fishtown, Philadelphia, to Japan. 

Lovingly held together with copper and brass fittings and fasteners, this bag is made from rare North American moose hide leather which is becoming nearly impossible to obtain. It looks like a duffle on one side but has padded straps to allow the bag to function as a backpack, which makes the bag so comfortable to carry. No one appreciates a duffle with straps that dig into the shoulders, am I right? Being so spacious, there is room to fit so much in here; travel or camping items, school supplies, thanksgiving leftovers… Kidding… I ate them all :)

Thanksgiving has come and gone but I’m reminded to give thanks to our brave men and women who serve; past, present and future.

I’m so honored to photograph fine products from local artisans! Discover more 40th parallel products at http://www.40th-parallel.com or pop into Madcap & Co. in downtown Lancaster, PA.

Love,

&annabelle

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November 25 2015

Le Petite Patisserie

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As a brunch enthusiast, it is always exciting for me to find new places to brunch. La petite patisserie, a boutique bakery in Lancaster, PA is now offering light lunches and tea. The most difficult part will be which savories and sweets to choose from since they are all to die for! Pictured above is a macaron, carrot soup, egg salad with scallions, and spinach en croute. Details can be found on their website.

The idea of tea is darling to me because it is a chance to stretch lunch a little longer, chat, relax, and connect. Too often I whirl from one task to another without cherishing human connection.

Happy tea time! xx

&annabelle

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November 07 2015

Mount Pepper Restaurant Review (Lancaster, PA)

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We dined at the new schezuan style Chinese restaurant this weekend and it was amazing! I expected a typical Chinese restaurant experience, however, was pleasantly surprised at how different Mount Pepper was. Everything we ordered tasted fresh, delicious, and far from the typical Americanized version of Chinese food that we are used to.

Pictured above is taro and thai milk tea. I have searched high and low for decent milk tea in Lancaster, and I can say this is the best milk tea I have ever tasted. Pictured below are Singapore mai fun noodles (thin rice noodles with pork, pork, chicken, shrimp and vegetables), steamed pork soup buns, and dan dan noodles with chili minced pork. The Singapore noodles were good, but the dan dan noodles and soup buns stole the show.

Hilariously, it took me halfway through the meal to figure out why the buns were called soup buns. They are filled with a little soup broth that keeps the dumpling soft and juicy, almost like a bite of wonton soup in every dumpling.

Thank you for joining me for my meal at Mount Pepper in Lancaster, PA!

Love, &annabelle

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October 09 2015

Fall Apple Picking

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Fall is the season for apple picking! This was the first time I’ve been apple picking, so I wanted to share some tips that are helpful and will make my next time more efficient.

  1. Research which types of apples will be available and ripe when you are planning to go apple picking, and choose which types of apples you would like to pick.
  2. Choose a couple recipes and decide how many pounds of apples you will need.
  3. At my local orchard, 20 pounds of apples cost less than 19 pounds. This means if you buy more, you save more, so bring a friend and split a basket of apples to make things more cost friendly.
  4. Wear comfortable shoes! Stepping in decomposing apples is no fun in ballet flats.

Happy apple picking! xx, &annabelle

 

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September 05 2015

Dîner en Blanc – Philadelphia

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White is my favorite color to wear and it was magical to be surrounded by 4000 dinner guests clad in head-to-toe white at Philadelphia’s most anticipated, Dîner en Blanc. Last year, rumors swirled that the “secret location” was leaked on various forums so this year I searched for the location the day before the event and found it. Google, you are always there for me. With a event of this magnitude, I imagine it would probably be nearly impossible to keep everyone tight lipped.

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While this white pop up dinner party seems effortless and glamorous, I would caution those who do not like to plan ahead that this may not be the event for you. Registration is months in advance and the wait list has a slim chance of receiving an invitation. Registering in phase I (out of three phases), I spent 40 minutes waiting in an online queue because the site hiccuped a couple times causing me to lose my place in line. The end game is very well worth it, proven by the growing wait list numbers each year (about 25,000 this year).

While my favorite venue so far is still Broad Street, I can’t wait to see what is in store for next year.

 

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July 04 2015

Fête en Blanc vs Dîner en Blanc

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Having attended both Fete en Blanc in Lancaster, Pa and Diner en Blanc in Philadelphia, I thought I would list some differences I noticed. The photos in this post are from Fete en Blanc 2015 held in the Clipper Magazine Stadium.

1. Of course the Lancaster Fete en Blanc was much smaller. I can’t wait to see it grow.

2. At Diner en Blanc, everyone met up in different locations around Philly and walked/took the subway, to the meeting location. It was really difficult carrying everything up steps, down steps, and on the subway. At Fete en Blanc, we didn’t have to carry our tables, chairs, etc too far.

3. Since Philadelphia has such beautiful architecture, Diner en Blanc felt more magical and grand, although having a dinner party on a baseball field in Lancaster was pretty cool.

4. Diner en Blanc passed out sparklers while Fete en Blanc did not, because of open flame restrictions of the baseball field.

I thoroughly enjoyed both events and the hard work that goes into organizing them.

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June 16 2015

Janice Shift Dress & J Crew Seville Espadrilles

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In the midst of trying to remember a million things to bring to a bridal shower, I walked out of the house in flip flops. J found a mall nearby and picked me up these wedges. Afterwards we walked to get oysters and lobster rolls because my vacation ended a month ago but my mind keeps telling me I need more seafood.

Lilly Pulitzer Janice Shift: $89 from the warehouse sale :)

J Crew Seville Wedge Espadrilles – Vintage Sandstone: $59.99

Prada Nylon Tote

 

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June 05 2015

Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale 2015 Review and Musings

Feeling brave from my encounter with Lilly for Target, I embarked on the journey to my first Lilly Pulitzer warehouse sale. Follow my timeline below for a peek into the warehouse sale through the eyes of a first-timer.

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10:00 PM: Leave for the Expo Center. Go through a mental checklist of things I meant to bring (snacks, blankets, chargers, chairs….etc.). Eat half of the snacks before we get there.

11:20 PM: Arrive and find out the line is wrapped around the back of the building! Luckily our parking space was next to our spot in line so we can back up our car and sit inside of the car instead of outside.

12:00 AM: The anticipation is bubbling through everyone and I know sleep would be a smart decision but I couldn’t sleep. I open the car window and eavesdrop on everyone around me, trying to pick up tips or hints.

1:30 AM: Everyone is getting tired and less talkative. I try to sleep unsuccessfully. J is snoring next to me. He’s so lucky.

3:00 AM: I’m still awake but getting drowsy. People start frantically packing up stuff and a girl in line said that people are going to run soon. Run? We’re on the complete opposite side of the entrance! I should have taken my cardio more seriously. J throws our chairs in the car and I open the passenger door to get my wallet. I close the door with my phone locked inside and J is gone. So sleepy and confused, I just stand there and watch 30 people run ahead of our rightful place in line. I can’t leave the car without my phone because I’m scared of not being able to find J. J comes back and we make a run for it. I told him to outrun all the girls and I’ll meet him.

4:00 AM: We stood in line for almost three hours. It’s not so bad because they have an organized line system that keeps everyone semi moving. The line wraps around the building and it is hard to see how many people exactly are in front of you, which keeps morale up. The DJ starts playing and it feels like an alternative universe since I’m so deprived of sleep. Am I at a party? Some people are dancing, some people are trying to cut the line, and some people behind me can not stop bumping me and have no sense of personal space…

6:30 AM: The line starts really moving and I edge the rope barricade back so I can peek through the curtains in hopes of scoping out the set up of the room to make a game plan. I got about a three second glimpse at the room. It is way too big and busy to be able to tell what is where and the curtains are right next to the cashiers who all glare at me because I so obviously lifted the curtain. We finally enter! They give cute HUGE shopping bags you can use to shop.

6:45 AM: Okay this is much different than Lilly for Target. There is way too much merchandise for anyone to take it all. Relax. The prices are almost comparable to the sales Lilly has in store, the difference is that there is a much better selection, so I am much more likely to find something I like.

7:30 AM J and I meet up and he waits in line with me for the dressing room. We have two shopping bags filled to the brim and there is no way I could carry both by myself. The dressing room is a curtained area lined with cheap full length mirrors. The mirrors are narrow and it is hard to see yourself. The wait time for the dressing room is pretty long because everyone has 30+ things to try on. I share a mirror with a girl and her mom because there are just too many people. I watch people who are my size and when they put cute things back, I snatch them. Outside the fitting room, J is texting me since he has figured out that pink tags means the item is a sample (or a damage). He is collecting the “rare items” while I am trying on all my things. I realize samples are much cheaper which is why they are the treasure of this sale!

8:00 AM: We meet again and he has a bunch of samples to show me. I am so jealous he is so good at finding samples. I only found two. We go through our bags and figure out what we want to keep while people come up and think our table is a sale table. Sorry, these items are mine :)

9:00 AM: We check out and see the line is just as long as when we started. We feel accomplished and experienced.

Stay tuned for future posts on my findings including price points.

Love and Lilly,

&annabelle, xx

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May 23 2015

Oui Please Subscription Box Review

Oui Please is a luxury subscription box company where you receive full sized French products bimonthly. I was gifted a yearly subscription, probably because J kept hearing me say “one day, we’ll go to France and we’ll [insert a must see place or must eat food here]”. I have to share that I stayed in a quaint little apartment in the heart of Paris and when I walked in, I saw signs on the wall from Hollywood and New York City. Humorously beautiful isn’t it? Both sides of the world, admiring each other. People often ask me if I miss France. I would love to go back but I feel like there is so much more I need to see first! There are several destinations on the top of my list before I revisit any country. I will settle for presents from France for now. The Oui Please box is darling because it introduces carefully curated French brands I have never heard of, and I can trust that the brands are good quality. Below I listed the contents of my box since each box is different. I also included a short review for the items that I had time to test. Check out Toby helping me examine my present. I am already dying in anticipation of the next box!

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Tassia Canellis – Way Ring ($60) I am a lover of simple dainty jewelry and this is most certainly dainty. This ring is different from any rings I own (because I own maybe 3 rings) and it adorably compliments my pretty diamond promise ring when stacked.

Oliv’ La Claree – Radiance Elixer 0.5 Fl. Oz. ($50) I was so skeptical of putting oil on my face! It seems a little counter productive. Directions say 5 drops before using moisturizer but I felt that 3 was plenty! I would do 1 or 2 drops next time. My foundation seems to blend more easily but we will see if it causes break outs. Also the glass container and dropper are GORGEOUS.

Oliv’ La Claree – Beauty Oil 2.5 Fl. Oz. ($35) This beauty oil smells like bubblegum and comes in a cute little can package. It is initially a little greasy but then absorbs leaving skin very smooth and silky feeling.

La Fare 1789 – Succulent Foot Cream ($15) I just had to laugh at the description reading “for succulent feet”. The two definitions of succulent I found for succulent refer to succulent plants, or food (tender, juicy and tasty). I can’t wait to have tender juicy feet (insert crying laughing emoji).

Panier Des Sens – Hand Cream, Energizing Verbana ($15) A thick rich cream with a pleasant scent. The packaging reminds me of L’Occitane but I like the texture of Panier des Sens better.

Rose et Marius – L’Eau de Mademoiselle Rose Fleurie ($15)

Rose et Marius – L’Eau de Marius Brune ($15) Both Rose et Marius soaps are a little too earthy for me, but will make cute decorative hand soaps as the pattern imprinted on top is very beautiful.

Plantes et Parfums – Ventoux Collection – Provence Lavender Flower Sachet 1.8 Oz ($15) Unfortunately my sachet was broken, undone at the seam when I received it. I opened my Oui Please box and the fragrance of lavender burst all around me like I had stepped into a field with lovely rows of lavender.

Epicerie de Provence – Honey From Provence Candy Jar ($15) Tastes like honey at first, then it kind of tastes like caramel.

Pop-Up Paris Candle – Flashing Meadow ($35) The scent is okay, but the prospect of finding a diamond in my candle is so exciting (1 in 50 candles has a diamond hidden in the wax)!

Atelier Cologne – Vanille Insensee ($25) A strong vanilla scent, a little too strong for me.

Southys Paris – Gommage Exfoliant Biological Skin Peeling ($34)

Southys Paris – Matt Eyeshadow 20 Taupe This eyeshadow is encased in super luxurious packaging, wrapped in a felt pouch similar to how Chanel products are packaged. ($16?)

Southys Paris – Nail Polish ($16)

Southys Paris – Mascara ($30)

Total Estimated Value: $391 (The Southys products didn’t include prices and were difficult to find online)

I am so glad I don’t hate anything in my box. Initially I planned to give away the things that weren’t my style as little gift “stocking stuffers” but it looks like I’m going to keep mostly everything for myself.

I don’t mind that my box included items from previous boxes because I was really hoping to try some Southys products and I also wanted the candle because diamonds are my best friend. The thing that disappointed me was that Oui Please had “trouble with receiving their shipment of products due to a delay in US customs” which in turn caused a delay of receiving my box. I wouldn’t have been so disappointed if I were notified of the delay of shipping, but the company never notified me of any such thing. I had to email them to find out. I wished they could have been more up front and sent out notices, so people knew what was going on. I was very offended not because of the shipping delay, but because the company didn’t trust that I could be understanding of such a circumstance and chose to pretend nothing was wrong.

bisous, mais à l’heure la prochaine fois!

&annabelle, xx

 

 

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