tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:49:03 +0000FoodLocal foodLondonUnited KingdomStreet artSwitzerlandCubismSpace InvaderTravellingRestaurantsGourmetSuisse RomandeGastronomyFrench CuisineLocalMichelinCheeseFranceStreet foodTaiwanFribourgSwiss RomandeDonutsFRSouth AmericaSuisseHome CookingSan FranciscoChocolateCraftDIYSavory foodsAfricaDrome ProvencalFrench CountrysideFrench WeddingGruyereNestleOutdoorsPeruVintageArgentinaBeunos AresBrazilCaillerChateauChestnutsGordon Ramsay at ClaridgesLaceLibyaLuganoMarronsRacletteRetroAubergeBaby ShowerBratwurstBreakfastBuntingBurgersCafe TortoniCantalCatsCebicheComteCornCôtes du RhôneDouble CremeDromeFeijoadaFish TacosFive GuysFood MuseumFrench AlpsFriesGiteGrignanIce CreamItalyLa Poeme de GrignanLa Rosa NauticaLybiaManresaMeringuesMotto de GalloMovenpickMraz & SohnNestle Outlet StoreNick's Crispy TacosOregonOystersPanchitaPicaronesPisco SourPortlandPortoPortugalProvenceRusticShaved IceSheet MusicSonhosSt. John Bread & WineStan's DonutsSteirereck im StadtparkTate ModernTete de moinTwineValenceValhronaVeveyViennagipfliwine tasting-eat what the locals eat, do what the locals do- exploring local life around the world-http://avecvi.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Blogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-2859154255700115128Sun, 02 Mar 2014 22:12:00 +00002014-03-03T19:38:44.707+01:00Baby ShowerCraftDIY I had been dying to put together a keepsake box and my pregnant girlfriend's birthday was the perfect excuse. I found some hat boxes at Ikea that were not only sturdy but a departure from using shoe boxes which I happen to not have on hand at the time (no I am not a shoe freak- plus I usually get my shoes back in the states so I usually ditch the box in favor of bringing back more essential http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/03/diy-baby-keepsake-box.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-1569585945792250082Thu, 27 Feb 2014 14:53:00 +00002014-03-02T22:14:43.870+01:00CatsCraftDIYFrench WeddingLaceVintageYes, I am one of those evil owners who puts my cats in costumes. In my defense, Ghost was the one who decided he wanted to help me with my lace cutting by burying himself into the pile. Isn't he adorable?  He may look unhappy but secretly he loved the photo shooting session (at least this is what I tell myself). Ghostinette de Aquitaine  I was using the lace we found up in the http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/02/lace-testing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-8215161055399860085Wed, 26 Feb 2014 21:30:00 +00002014-03-02T22:28:16.966+01:00AfricaLibyaTravelling After two long days on the road, we finally reached Ghadames.  The most notable thing about the non Unesco part of the city is that there are so many new buildings here.  We were told by our guide that in an effort to protect Ghadames, the government moved all of the locals into new housing in the 70s. To the government's dismay, the new apartment style housing did not protect from thehttp://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/02/libya-part-3-ghadamis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-1400620093256698503Sun, 23 Feb 2014 20:53:00 +00002014-02-23T23:45:17.395+01:00AfricaLibyaTravelling Main central countyard of Nalut After our visit to Leptis Magna, the next day we set out to the South West of Tripoli in search of Ghadames.  What you should understand about Libya is that like any other developing country, the roads outside of the major cities are sparse and often not paved.  It looked like they were doing some major infrastructure work to build some two lane http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/02/libya-part-2-berber-granaries-rusty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-7676815092750271890Sat, 08 Feb 2014 14:32:00 +00002014-02-08T15:32:00.346+01:00AfricaLocalLybiaTravellingOk. So I never actually thought I would ever go to Libya but when my mom asked me I thought to myself why not? It just sounded like one of those really off the beaten road type of places that most people would never go to.  My first question was "what are we gonna see there?" My second was "are we allowed to get in the country?". To answer my first question- to the rest of the world that http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/02/libya-part-i-leptis-magna.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-9079970649757642507Tue, 04 Feb 2014 21:45:00 +00002014-02-04T22:45:00.024+01:00ChateauCraftDIYFranceFrench CountrysideFrench WeddingRetroVintageKeeping up with our vintage music themed wedding, I thought it would be clever to do something with the gramophone as part of the seating displays. I played with a few ideas like hanging notes on string made to look a musical score like it was coming out of the gramophone but due to the uncertainty of where we would hold the dinner (we wanted it outside on the terrace but were not sure the http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/02/diy-vinyl-record-wedding-seating.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-9112249873332149842Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:17:00 +00002014-02-02T15:27:49.626+01:00AubergeFoodFranceFrench AlpsFrench CountrysideFrench CuisineLocalLocal foodMichelinRacletteRestaurantsWe are having a late winter here in Switzerland and there is nothing better during the cold of winter then having some delicious crusty burnt cheese.  The craving for some delicious Raclette reminded me of the little trip we took up in the French Alps to the Haute Breda Valley in search of some traditional Raclette. Auberge Nemoz is an adorable family run restaurant/ chambre d'hotes http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/02/traditional-raclette-in-french-alps.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-1011842251301115751Wed, 29 Jan 2014 10:11:00 +00002014-01-29T11:11:00.398+01:00BuntingChateauCraftDIYFranceFrench CountrysideFrench WeddingLaceRetroRusticSheet MusicTwineVintage I had mentioned before that now that I've settled in (and no longer have a 2 hour commute in one direction to work), I've taken up crafting again.  My husband and I had already had our civil marriage but finally, FINALLY!, we were going to have our wedding celebration which gave me a reason to start crafting again. We had discussed (prior to finding a venue and all of that other wedding http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/01/diy-lace-sheet-music-bunting-and-card.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-7257291946431135796Sat, 25 Jan 2014 21:16:00 +00002014-01-28T06:46:37.809+01:00FRFribourgOutdoorsSuisseSuisse RomandeSwitzerlandTravelling I have to admit that Switzerland has some of the most incredible scenery in the world.  The backdrop always seems surreal.  Although considered a "little" mountain, Mt. Moleson in Gruyere is one of those "best kept secrets" (ok that's totally my own opinion) of Switzerland.  I had previously blogged about going up to Mt. Moleson for the Lever Du Soleil in early fall.  http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/01/hiking-in-swiss-alps-from-mt-moleson-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-8813909160481569631Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:45:00 +00002014-01-23T22:45:00.623+01:00CubismFranceProvenceSpace InvaderStreet artOne of the things I love doing when visiting cities (if available) is space invaders hunting. Avignon happens to be blessed as one of the cities that he has hit up. For those of you who don't know Avignon it's on the boarder of Provence and the Cote d'Azur. Most of the notable landmarks around Avignon are a bunch of bridges or "Pont" in French.  Pont du Guard, the gigantic Roman Aqueduct http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/01/space-invaders-avignon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-16231257844876956Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:56:00 +00002014-01-23T19:55:07.407+01:00ChocolateCôtes du RhôneDrome ProvencalFoodFranceFrench CuisineGastronomyGourmetLocal foodValenceValhronawine tastingOne of the advantages of living in Europe and having a French husband who's origins are right next to the Côtes du Rhône wine region is that we get amazing wine (and food). Côtes du Rhône is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlee (AOC).  That's fancy French speak for this stuff is really from where it says its from. The region is quite expansive as it is fed largely from the Rhône river. &http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/01/wine-tasting-in-cotes-du-rhone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-3227858727752937954Fri, 17 Jan 2014 22:20:00 +00002014-01-20T09:50:07.215+01:00DromeDrome ProvencalFoodFranceFrench CuisineGastronomyGourmetLa Poeme de GrignanMichelinRestaurantsOften when choosing restaurants, you do your research- guide Michelin, TripAdvisor etc.  Sometimes, you think "those reviews totally lied, this place sucks" but sometimes, sometimes you get really lucky and you think "This place totally deserves stars".  La Poeme de Grignan totally deserves stars On our visit to Drome, we decided we would have one nice meal out.  I had settledhttp://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/01/le-poeme-de-grignan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-5991126403055998094Thu, 16 Jan 2014 21:25:00 +00002014-01-20T09:50:48.910+01:00CantalCheeseComteDrome ProvencalFoodFranceFrench CuisineGiteGrignanLocalLocal foodTravellingLast spring, we had the chance to take some time off with some friends to visit the French department of Drome.  Drome is just south of Isere and just north of Provence.   The original idea was to stay as close as possible to Valence and visit the Valhrona chocolate factory (again).  I did some research on some "Chambres D'hôtes" (that's french for B&B) and "Gites" and sincehttp://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/01/grignan-drome-just-as-amazing-as.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-2977819969979160695Wed, 08 Jan 2014 22:52:00 +00002014-01-31T00:15:10.641+01:00CubismFRFribourgSpace InvaderStreet artSuisseSuisse RomandeSwitzerland One of the things that I enjoyed the most about living in Fribourg is the number of Space Invaders available to me.  I once researched that there were 6 Space Invaders in town but unfortunately, I have only been able to locate seven of them and of course, I'm missing a photo of two of the five... On the Corner of Rue des Alpes and Rue de Lausanne no location directions needed : At http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/01/space-invaders-blvd-de-perolles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-5801605206318627867Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:31:00 +00002014-01-07T22:31:37.716+01:00After a 3.5 year hiatus from blogging.. I'm back! A lot has changed in these last three years- amongst them has been what seems to be my permanent move to Europe. I guess living the local life now means living my normal every day life which has allowed me to spend more time doing things like crafting- something I use to do a lot before I decided to uproot my life, change careers and move to http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2014/01/shes-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-5123326003457182650Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:52:00 +00002014-01-10T14:18:07.705+01:00 When I first told Michael that I was going to wear a cap and gown, he burst out into laughter. At first, I was a little disturbed because it was the whole idea of graduation and what is graduation without a cap and gown? Looking back at the photos.. and putting on the silly square hat for the third time, I realized, it is a really silly cap and gown.. and I DO LOOK RIDICULOUS. Then it got me http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2010/06/silly-square-cap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-9157993362519352327Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:52:00 +00002010-06-06T20:57:27.884+02:00Congratulations to the graduating class of Glion 2010!! Well hopefully congrats... On Friday, we had our "graduation" pending on us passing our dissertations. A beautiful day in the Swiss Alps, the rain and clouds ceased just for 3 days, enough for us and our families to have a beautiful (albeit HOT) graduation. It has been one heck of a year here in Bulle with ups and downs.. but its over!! (http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-over-well-almost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-6919936914437612025Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:52:00 +00002014-01-17T08:57:53.054+01:00CaillerChocolateFoodGourmetLocalNestleSuisseSwiss RomandeSwitzerlandTravelling*Warning* I am not responsible for any weight that you may gain after reading this posting. thank you. At the beginning of the school year, I did the Cailler- Nestle chocolate factory walk. A mere 3 miles from my dorm-- it was a gorgeous jaunt through the forest and into the little town of Broc. I learned my lesson the hard way-- consuming so much chocolate that my stomach.. very angry at mehttp://avecvi.blogspot.com/2010/04/nestle-outlet-factory.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-445331298743658550Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:44:00 +00002014-01-09T09:31:27.442+01:00ChestnutsFoodFrench CuisineGourmetHome CookingLocal foodMarronsSavory foods So I've had roasted Marrons (Lugano autumn chestnut festival) , I've had Marron Glace (candied marrons), Japanese chestnuts (smaller but not necessarily sweeter than their European counter parts, Vermecelli marrons, chestnut cake, chestnut mousse.. but SAVORY chestnuts? I've never seen this one before! I had to try it. Made the best way, the cooked chestnuts are just lightly sauteed, butter http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2010/04/marrons-mmm-obsession-continues.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-3474788107807381202Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:10:00 +00002010-01-17T08:39:47.944+01:00So One of the things I got to do while back home was hit the slopes again after many years! With patient training from one of my closest friends Lisa and my little brother BJ, I was able to get up on the board and get down the hill without falling! (this is after 2 really hard falls in which my bruised butt cheek is still recovering).We were lucky enough to stay at the uber luxurious and brand http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2010/01/hitting-slopes-literally-on-my-rear-end.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-2508402779122270214Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:44:00 +00002014-01-09T09:29:42.621+01:00Gordon Ramsay at ClaridgesGourmetLondonMichelinRestaurantsUnited Kingdom Wanted to give a big shout out to my Claridges crew. U guys (and I don't need to say who) are an amazing crew. I love you all dearly. Keep your heads up because you are ALL talented. xxx Gordon Ramsay at Claridges Brook Street London W1K 4HR Tel: 020 7499 0099 Reservations Recommended * Update* Sadly in the summer of 2013, Gordon Ramsay at Claridges had it's last service.  The lease on http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2010/01/yeah-oui.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-9045541116638180600Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:37:00 +00002014-01-09T09:30:38.491+01:00FoodGastronomyGourmetManresaMichelinRestaurantsSan Francisco yeah yeah, So I've been busy over winter break ok? I went back to my English home kitchen, then to Porto, then back to my family in California- Manresa. I do miss the kitchen terribly. The warmth of the bonnet.... so comforting! The way everything flows in and out of the kitchen- people COMMUNICATING with each other... why can't all life function this way? One of the greatest things about http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2010/01/warning-genius-at-work.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-5666101971963990280Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:32:00 +00002014-01-09T09:31:13.148+01:00FoodGourmetHome CookingLocal foodPortugal I spent my Christmas in Porto with my friend Nuno and his amazing family. His family figured out that besides being a rabbit and needing my veggies ( they have french fries and bread with EVERY MEAL) I also love JAMON!!!!! we managed to go through this moist, tender and not overly salty Portuguese version in 3 days.. it usually takes them two weeks.. oops... what can I say??? It's JAMON!http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-love-jamon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-2810641955078403386Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:09:00 +00002014-01-09T09:33:29.172+01:00CheeseFoodFrench CuisineFribourgGastronomyMichelinRestaurantsSuisse RomandeSwitzerland Starter: Pumkin soup, creme fraiche, bacon, foie gras gele and foie gras feuillantine (delicious) Yes yes, It's just another tease... but it takes time to write these things ok? I gotta pour over my notes, remember what I ate.. yada yada yada. Hayley and I got to go to this INCREDIBLE one michelin star in Fribourg, the next town over. Le Perolles is one of the two michelin restaurants in http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2009/11/le-perolles-pa-ayer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7479734153283616505.post-4662127703900136155Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:03:00 +00002014-01-09T09:33:15.526+01:00FoodGastronomyGourmetItalyLocal foodMichelinRestaurants I know I owe you guys about four michelin reviews... but ok.. I owe you guys one more. I had the enormous pleasure of going to Cinque Terra to visit my foodie, amazing, fun, intelligent friend John who lives in Lerici Italy (well temporarily). Although we didn't make it to the Agritourismo that we so desperately wanted to, we did make it to Ca Matilde: Ristorante Locanda, 1 Michelin star. http://avecvi.blogspot.com/2009/11/ca-matilde-locanda-restaurant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Vi)0