Souvenirs for a Daydreaming Traveler...

Top 10 Favorite Indian Films

2011-11-14T20:22:00.001-08:00

Check out my Youtube channel for the movie trailers! ENJOY....

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
Bodyguard
Julie
Aarakshan
Not a Love Story
Chatur Singh Two Star
3 Idiots
Dabangg
Mother India
Mughal-E-Azam

Check out my Youtube channel for the Indian Movie Trailer Playlist!

Indian Music Playlist

2011-11-08T12:52:00.000-08:00

Indian music has been some what perplexing to me over the years. I've always felt so entranced by the music, and its seemingly hypnotic melodies and rhythms.

George Harrison and Ravi Shankar

I am familiar with the great works by Ravi Shankar, notable among other things from collaborating with the Beatles. I knew of the music featured in Bollywood films, yet, that was the extent of my knowledge. I took a music history class last spring called "Music of the World's People", and Indian music was one of the areas we covered. I soon found there was so much more to Indian music than I could have ever imagined.

The music of India includes multiple varieties of folk, popular, pop, classical music and R&B. India's classical music tradition, including Carnatic and Hindustani music, has a history spanning a millennia and developed over several eras. It remains fundamental to the lives of Indians today as sources of spiritual inspiration, cultural expression and pure entertainment. India is made up of several dozen ethnic groups, speaking their own languages and dialects, having distinct cultural traditions.

Indian folk music, in particular, is music that most interests me. "Dandiya", for example, is a form of dance-oriented folk music that has also been adapted for pop music. The present musical style is derived from the traditional musical accompaniment to the folk dance. It is practised in (mainly) the state of Gujrat. Actually Dandiya is a kind of dance rather than a music, the music is called a Garba in local language.

Indian Folk musicians performing in a local village

"Uttarakhandi "folk music had its root in the lap of nature. The pure and blessed music have the feel and the touch of nature and subjects related to nature. The folk music primarily is related to the various festivals, religious traditions, folk stories and simple life of the people of Uttarakhand. Thus the songs of Uttarakhand are a true reflection of the Cultural Heritage and the way people lives their lives in the Himalayas. Musical instruments used in Uttarakhand music include the dhol, damoun, turri, ransingha, dholki, daur, thali, bhankora and masakbhaja. Tabla and harmonium are also used, but to a lesser extent. The main languages are Kumaoni and Garhwali.

The biggest form of Indian popular music is "filmi", or songs from Indian films, it makes up 72% of the music sales in India.[2] The film industry of India supported music by according reverence to classical music while utilizing the western orchestration to support Indian melodies. Music composers like , Naushad, C. Ramchandra, S D Batish, Salil Chowdhury, A. R. Rahman, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, , Ilaiyaraja, Thomas Rathnam and S. D. Burman employed the principles of harmony while retaining classical and folk flavor. In Indian film industry A. R. Rehman has mixed Indian classical music with western classical and other music genres.

Read more about the music of India and check out the 10 Indian Songs I Love!
P.S.- Check out my Youtube channel for playlists+video: Indian Playlist

Here is the 10 Indian Songs I Love! Don't forget to click the link to my Youtube channel for the playlist featured below and their video!!!!

"Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya"- K.L. Saigal
"Mujhse Shadi Karogi"
"Naina Barse Rimjhim"- Woh Kaun Thi
"Humen tumse pyar kitna"- Kishore Kumar
"Pandit Jasraj "-Raag Kaushi Kanada
"Raga Madhubanti"- Rajeev Taranath
"Shanti Mantra"- Ravi Shankar
"Gopala Krishna"- George Harrison
"Kaliyugavaradana"- U. Srinivas
"Raag Jogkauns"- Kala Ramnath

From the Editor: Namaste, Aap Kaise Hain?

2011-11-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

Welcome To India!

India is the top country on my very long list of places to visit, which is why it is my Destination of the Week!. I have had such a deep spiritual respect for India for several years now, and the immense devotion of her people is breathtaking. There are nearly 1.2 billion people in India! India is bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the south east. Not to mention, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west, the People's Republic of China, Nepal and Bhutan to the north east, as well as Bhutan to the north east and Burma and Bangladesh to the east. India's size, population, and evident geographical position in close proximity to several countries make up for her vast and ancient position in historical trade routes and vast empires.

Four of the world's major religions-- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism originated in India. Indian cultural history spans more than 4.500 years. During the Vedic Age, the foundations of Hindu philosophy, mythology, and literature were laid, and many beliefs and practices which still exist today, such as dharma, karma, yoga, and moksa were established.

THE TAJ MAHAL!

Much of Indian architecture, including the Taj Mahal, other works of Mughal and South Indian architecture, blends ancient local traditions with imported styles. Indian cuisine is best known for its delicate use of herbs and spices and for its tandoori grilling techniques (YUM!!!!) Many spices which have become known worldwide are actually native to India.

This week, I am going to be focusing on Indian cuisine, Indian music, Indian art, Indian religious practices and festivals, and of course Indian movies, known as Bollywood!

Top 10 Favorite Mexican films!

2011-11-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

Click the movie title to see the trailer! ENJOY.....

Midaq Alley
The Young and the Damned (Los Olvidados)
Macario
Amores Perros
Let's Go with Pancho Villa (Vamonos Con Pancho Villa)
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Hell Without Limits
El Infierno
Animas Trujano (El hombre importante)
Black Wind (Viento Negro)

*** While you're checking out the movie playlists, check out the music playlists on my Youtube Channel that accompany this week's destination of the week!

Mexican Music Playlist

2011-10-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

Mexican music is incredibly passionate and vibrant, and plays a big role in shaping the Mexican culture, past and present. The music of Mexico is very diverse and features a wide range of musical styles. Mexican music has been influenced by a variety of cultures, notably indigenous Mexican and European. Mexico has a rich culture that should be boasted about. The Mexican culture integrates the traditions from Mexico and the world cultures the country has been in contact with through the centuries, be it through song, dance, art, food, or language, and forms it into a unique voice for the Mexican people to share and cultivate from generation to generation.

What makes Mexican music and integral part of the Mexican culture, and therefore the lives of Mexican people is how much it is a part of the historical makeup and mexican heritage. Mexican music, for the most part, is the music of the people. Traditional Mexican music depicts vibrancy, folklore, and color. And above all, from folk songs to mariachi music, to the modern upbeat music today, Mexican music speaks volumes for the people.

For example, "Banda" music a form of traditional Mexican music including cumbias, corridos, rancheras, and boleros, was created with the imitation of military bands that were imported during the second Mexican empire, under emperor Maximillian I of Mexico in the 1860s. Banda music actually sounds very similar to polka music, again illustrating the diversity of the Mexican music sound and influence. Banda music was further popularized during the Mexican Revolution with revolutionary leaders like Pancho Villa utilizing the music to be apart of this campaign, appealing to poor Mexican farmers and families.

Below is a playlist of classic and modern Mexican music. Each song integrates a different quality of the Mexican culture. Moreover, this playlist brings light some of the very best aspects and traditions of the Mexican culture.

Read more about the music of Mexico and check out my 10 songs I love in Spanish!

P.s.- Check out my Youtube channel for the playlist + video: Mexico Playlist

Mexican Music Playlist :

A link to the videos/clips from this Mexican Music Playlist can be found HERE !!!

"Como La Flor"- Selena
"Cielito Lindo" - Pedro Infante
"De Colores"- Joan Baez (cover)
"Y Como Es El"- Vicente Fernandez
"Reloj" - Lucho
"Cucurrucucu"- Lola Beltran
"La Bamba" - Ritchie Valens
"Ella"- Jose Alredo Jimenez
"La Gran Senora"- Jenni Rivera
"L'Via L'Viaquez"- The Mars Volta

Authentic Mexican Recipe: Tacquitos

2011-10-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

Step 1: Ingredients

8 flour (or corn) tortillas
3/4 cup water
4 pieces of chicken breast (I used 1 big piece, 2 medium pieces, and 1 smaller piece) NOTE: You can also use beef, pork, fish, or no meat at all, if you like!
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 salsa
1 cup oil (for frying)
1 package of cheese ( I used a blend of Monterey Jack and Cheddar)

New Feature: Youtube Channel!

2011-10-25T20:49:00.001-07:00

I created a Youtube Channel that will feature all the playlists, movie trailers, and videos for when I create the recipes that get featured weekly on the blog for your convenience! Please subscribe to my channel! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/DaydreamingTraveler?feature=mhee

ENJOY!

From the Editor: Ven Conmigo!

2011-10-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

It has been a long while since I have done a new post. These past 2 weeks have been bananas in terms of homework, projects, and work!!! I was terribly bummed to not be able to post new stuff, but it didn't stop me from concocting lovely recipes, crafts, art, music, and much more for this week.

Which leads me to my next order of business, announcing this week's destination of the week will be to.....

Bienvenidos a México!

I am incredibly proud to discuss the gems of my Mexican heritage and culture. Mexico is a rich country that oozes with a diverse history, strong traditions, and incredible culture. And, in connection to Halloween, I'll also be talking about Dia de Los Muertos, a beautiful Mexican holiday, as a kind of theme for the week.

In Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica many cultures matured into advanced civilizations such as the Olmec, the Toltec, the Teotihuacan, the Zapotec, the Maya and the Aztec before the first contact with Europeans. In 1521, Spain conquered and colonized the territory from its base in México-Tenochtitlan, which was administered as the Viceroyalty of New Spain. This territory would eventually become Mexico as the colony independence was recognized in 1821. The post-independence period was characterized by economic instability, the Mexican-American War and territorial cessionto the United States, a civil war, two empires and a domestic dictatorship. The latter led to the Mexican Revolution in 1910, which culminated with the promulgation of the 1917 Constitution and the emergence of the country's current political system. Elections held in July 2000 marked the first time that an opposition party won the presidency from the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

The beautiful Cancún Mexico!

Mexico City is most popular with tourists as an ancient Meso-American city and the site of many popular tourist attractions such as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. The city is also home to the Plaza México and to the Mexican National Palace, built on the site of Montezuma's palace, and the huge Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, built over the even greater Temple of Teocalli.

Guadalajara, Jalisco, the second-largest city by population in the Republic, is home of some of Mexico's best known traditions, such as tequila, mariachi music and charros, or Mexican cowboys. Its similitude with western European countries mixed with modern architecture and infrastructure makes Guadalajara very attractive to tourists. Along with Mexico City and beach destinations (Cancún,Acapulco, etc.), Guadalajara is one of the most visited cities in Mexico. Cultural tourism is the main attraction, the city being home to a large number of museums, art galleries and theatres.

The Mexican culture reflects the complexity of the country's history through the blending of indigenous cultures and the culture of Spain, imparted during Spain's 300-year colonization of Mexico. Everything from its food to music has such a vibrant and diverse spirit that make Mexican culture one of the most beautiful.

I am so excited for this week's content! Stay tuned!!!

Buenos Noches Queridas!

Authentic Greek Recipe: Spanakopita

2011-10-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

Step 1:

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
10z. bag of Spinach (Pre-chopped)
Salt and Pepper
6oz. feta cheese, crumbled
2 eggs
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
1 pound filo pastry sheets

Pre-heat Oven to 350 degrees

Step 2:

Drain bag of spinach to get out excess water. Saute spinach in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Use tongs to toss. Add dash of salt and pepper. Note: You may saute onions, parsley, and green onions with spinach for taste.

Step 3:

Place cooked spinach onto paper towels. Squeeze excess water out. To cool, I placed the spinach in a bowl and placed it in the freezer for about 5 minutes.

Step 4:

Once the spinach is cool, mix eggs and feta cheese into spinach until combined.

Step 5:

Unroll Filo dough. Place on sheet of wax paper and cover with wet paper towels to moisten and prevent the dough from becoming brittle. Melt 2 sticks of better. I cut the filo dough in half, then in fourths. This is to make triangle pitas.

Step 6:

Depending on how you roll your pitas, place about a spoonful of the spinach mixture onto filo dough that has been brushed with the melted butter. I buttered each sheet of dough, and used about 4-5 sheets per pita. The filo dough is very thin. You may also make the spanakopita into a pie or a casserole dish. Place completed pita onto buttered cookie sheet. I also made spinach tarts. Bake for 25 minutes.

Step 7:

Enjoy!!!!

From the Editor: Kalioreksi! Last thoughts of Greece

2011-10-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

Before I reveal our next destination of the week, I would just like to say how much I've enjoyed sharing my love of Greece. I did manage to dig up my favorite Greek recipe to share with everyone for Spanakopita. I absolutely love this dish! I believe I first had this dish when I was a little kid, and no one makes it like my grandma Olympia. This coupled with my favorite Greek movies is definitely an equation for awesomeness!

♥Kalinichta♥

Top 10 favorite Greek films!

2011-10-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

Click the movie title to see the trailer! Enjoy.....

"Nyfes" (Brides)
"Z"
"Zorba the Greek"
"My Life in Ruins"
"Never on Sunday"
"Politiki Kouzina" (A Touch of Spice)
"Stella"
"Eternity and a Day"
"From the Edge of the City"
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding"

Photo Tour of Greece

2011-10-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

The cultural and historical background of Greece has sprinkled the landscapes with ruins that span six thousand years. The alternating invaders, the peaceful settlers, and the country's position at the crossroads between eastern and western culture, have all left their mark on the Greek cultural landscape. Ancient sites around the country side, and museums in cities protect priceless artifacts from antiquity.

Time has been really kind to the land and has adorned the mainland and the Greek Islands with an impressive array of natural attractions. Travelers to this beautiful country especially loved by travelers are the extensive sunshine and the ocean's gorgeous blue hues.

One of my favorite aspects of Greece (besides being surrounded by the very roots of Western Civilization!) are the beaches. They are really breathtaking, and that doesn't begin to fully describe them. Some beaches are well organized and offer many luxuries, while others are very secluded and isolated. Some offer clear water, some perfect soft sand, while others are framed by incredible landscapes. The national Greek tourist organization has its own "top ten beaches" list based on the voting of its website visitors, and many beaches of Greece sport the Blue flag which symbolizes cleanliness and quality.

I've complied some of my favorite destinations, sites, beaches, and locales in Greece. Check them out after the jump! Enjoy....

Athens- The Acropolis
No matter what you say about Athens, no one's trip Greece can be considered a success or complete without a visit to its supreme symbol, the Acropolis, crowned with Athena's sacred temple, the Parthenon. It looks great all day, but the visit at dawn or dusk are the most incredible. Plus, you avoid the crowds! The significance of the Acropolis of Athens is such that it was formally proclaimed as the preeminent monument of the civilization itself. It is truly remarkable piece of architecture. Every four years, the Athenians held a festival called the Panathenaea that rivalled the Olympic Games in popularity.

The National Archaeological Museum-Athens
Even if you hate museums, you can not deny the culture you'll get here. It has a world class display of seemingly endless artifacts. Most dramatic are the tall, enigmatic kouroi, archaic statues of godlike young men or man-like gods, displayed against a rich red background that reminds us that the real temples, statues, and walls of Ancient Greece weren't bleached white by centuries of sun and rain. The museum has an incredible Egyptian antiques collection as well. Visit the museum's website HERE.

Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
It's worth the tour bus trip or car ride to visit the clifftop temple at Sounion, the empty spaces between the columns framing the sky and looking like a portal into another time. You will feel poetic or heroic just looking at the incredible ruins. Most popular at sunset, it's as beautiful in the early morning, and much, much less crowded! Cape Sounion is noted as the site of ruins of the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in classical mythology. According to legend, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeus, king of Athens, leapt to his death off the cliff, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea.

Santorini
Santorini offers Atlantis legends, missing Minoans, a living volcanic legacy, gorgeous sunsets, vampire stories, good local wine, 5-star quality restaurants, and tons of tourists. Yes, I did say Vampires! Nonetheless, there's nothing like Santorini. Santorini is actually the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name. It is perhaps infamous for its white-washed houses and buildings that are almost blinding to sight, but absolutely remarkable.

Mykonos
Mykonos is arguably the most famous Greek island, and for good reason. It is charming, beautiful, fun, and renown for sophisticated, international happenings. It has an incredible nightlife, terrific shopping, and tons of famous nude and none-nude beaches. One famous nude beach, Paradise Beach, attracts travelers and locals alike for its sheer beauty. After all, how can you go wrong with a place LITERALLY named Paradise? The nudity, however, takes a backseat to the continuous party atmosphere and generally vibrant environment. In Greek mythology, Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus and the Titans, and the island was named in honor of Apollo's grandson Mykons. Some recognizable landmarks in Mykonos include the windmills, and the Paraportiani- one of the most famous architectural structures in Greece.

The Island of Crete
The big island of Crete is like a separate nation within Greece, with a bit of everything- partying beach towns like Mallia to the sophisticated, expensive little city of Agios Nikolaos. The natural wonders of the Samaria Gorge and the "real Crete" city of Chania highlight the island's depth and wonder. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is world class, and the Minoan Palace of Knossos is a must see. The palace is one of the most spectacular, irresistable, labyrinthine reconstruction of a destroyed Minoan palace from the time when King Minos ruled the Aegean. The mainland Greeks paid tribute, long before the Golden Age of Greece. Disorienting, easy to get lost even today, with a mystery around every corner. It seems strange to be able to just hop on a public bus to get to this ancient enigmatical place.

Greek Music Playlist

2011-10-04T21:32:00.000-07:00

Some of the most diverse music I have ever heard has hands down come from Greece. The music of Greece is well celebrated as the country's own history. Greek music separates into two parts: Greek traditional music and Byzantine music, with more eastern influence. These compositions have their roots in antiquity. Music is a significant aspect of "Hellenic" culture, both within Greece and in the diaspora.

Typical pop music of Greece includes the following genres: Éntekhno, Dimotika, Hip Hop, Laïkó , Punk and Rock.

Greek music actually extends far back into Ancient Greece, since music was a major part of the ancient Greek theatre. Music was an important part of education in Ancient Greece. Boys were even taught music starting as early as six years old. Greek musical literacy created a flowering of development. It would eventually become the basis for Western religious music and classical music.

Greek instruments that are typically used in music include: the lyra Pontos and Crete, the Outi, the Bouzouki, and the Baglamas. All of these are stringed instruments. Wind instruments in the Gavali, the Karamoudza, and the Thiambioli. My favorite instruments are the drums, like the Daouli, the Defi, and the Toumbi. Learn more about Greek instruments HERE!

The genre "Éntekhno." arose in the late 1950s. Éntekhno, literally meaning "art song", is orchestral music with elements from Greek folk rhythm and melody. It's lyrical themes are often political or based on the work of famous Greek poets. Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hadjidakis were the most popular early composers of Éntekhno music. "Laïkó" music, meaning song of the people, is the urban folk music of Greece. It emerged by the creation of Greek music culture in the 20th century. Contemporary Laïkó is currently Greece's mainstream music genre in their modern nightlife. Contemporary Laïkó emerged as a style in the early 1980s.

I definitely recommend checking out MTV Greece, which was just launched in 2008, as a starting ground to finding out what is happening today in Greek music.

In the meantime, check out the 10 songs I love in Greek after the jump! Enjoy....

The artists and songs are in Greek, but I gave the Latin translation of the names to make it easier.

Opa!

"Poula Me"- by Pyx Lax
"Kai vgale to kragion sou"- by Stephanos Korkolis
"Ki Allo"- by Elli Kokkinou
"Ta Lefta"- by Despina Vandi
"To Tragoudi Mou"- by Goin Through
"Thisavros"- by Giannis Ploutarhos
"Esena Mono"- by Kaiti Garbi
"Roza"- by Mitropanos Dimitris
"Chocolat" by REC
"Yemou Yemu"-by Stamatis Kokotas

From the Editor: "There are two types of people: Greeks, and everybody that wishes they were Greek!"

2011-10-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Yassou! Welcome to Greece!

It gives me great pleasure to announce our next destination of the week will be to Greece! I have a special attachment to this beautiful country due to my own bit of Greek heritage. My paternal grandmother, Olympia, is half Greek, and her mother was from Kalamata.

I wasn't raised in the Greek Orthodox Church, but my grandma taught me how to say my prayers in Greek. I'm sad to report, I barely remember how to say them. Nonetheless, my Greek today amounts to a keen understanding of the basic phrases. Hello. Goodbye. Good morning, how are you? Etc...

In many ways, we are all sons and daughters of Ancient Greece. Greece is really the cradle of Western Civilization. So much is owed to antiquity, and the rich foundation the Ancient Greeks built in terms of philosophy, literature, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, education, and Western drama (just to name a few).

Oh, just the home of the gods. No big deal.....

Greek cuisine is some of the finest dining in the world, and the classic example of the healthy Mediterranean diet. It incorporates fresh ingredients into a variety of dishes like moussaka, Greek Salad, souvlaki, and my absolute favorite, spanakopita. And you'd be crazy to turn down a nice, sweet, and sticky helping of baklava!

Greece is the birth place of the Olympic Games. The Panathenian stadium in Athens hosted the Olympic Games in 1896, 1870, 1875, 1906, and recently in 2004. Of course, you can't talk about Greece without mentioning the numerous gods of the ancient Greek mythology. They intersect with the world of literature's greatest epics ever written (uh, can you say The Odyssey and The Illiad?)

I absolutely love Greek culture, traditions, and customs. I am so thrilled and honor to share this piece of my own personal history with you all.

Stay tuned for all kinds of Greek-ness for your everyday life this week!

♥ Kherete ♥

French Decor Craft

2011-10-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do an arts and crafts project that would incorporate my love of France and of art. So what better way than to make my own art piece to hang in my house! I made an art box, or simply, a decorated box you can hang on your wall like art. Easy, right? A couple weeks ago, I had seen this project done, but with a cheapy painting you might find at a thrift or crafts store. I wanted to do the same thing, but with pretty construction paper I had around the house. I did cute sayings for my piece, but you can put song lyrics, or your favorite quotes for the lettering.

You'll need:

Plain gift box
Construction Paper
Craft paint
Paint brushes
Letter Stickers or make your own letters

Step 1:
I used a gift box as the "canvas" for my art. If you use a painting, you can use whatever it comes attached to as your foundation.

Step 2-3:
Cover your box with the construction paper. I covered the sides with pattered tissue paper. This is optional.

Step 4:

Cut out letters. I cut out letters from thick construction paper, but you can use letters stickers you can purchase at your local crafts store.

Step 5:

Cover the entire art piece with a coat (or two) of white paint. I wish I would have used spray paint because my letters bled a tiny bit. Spray paint is preferable.

Step 6:
Once art piece is fully painted, allow time to dry. I let mine dry for about an hour.

Step 7:

Peel the letters off carefully.

Yay! You did it! Enjoy!♥

Authentic French Recipe: Crêpes

2011-10-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

Step 1:
Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt

Step 2:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs.

Step 3:

Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter. Beat until smooth.

*NOTE: take a teaspoon of batter and pour into melted butter BEFORE pouring into larger batter. This will temper the hot butter so it won't curdle your eggs and milk.

Step 4:

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.

Step 5:

Pour or scoop the batter onto the pan, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.

Step 6:

ENJOY!!!

I folded my crepes in half, to form a half circle, then folded one side over the other, to make a triangle. Then I put fruit in the middle, sprinkled with powdered sugar. You may but chocolate or whipped cream, if you'd like.

SOOOO GOOD!

From the Editor: Holy Crêpes, Crêpes, Crêpes!

2011-10-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love France. I definitely know I will be living in château in the south of France sometime in my life. IT WILL HAPPEN!

c'est tres délicieux!

Before we go onto our next destination of the week, I just wanted to share some lasting impressions of France, and by lasting impressions I mean food recipes! Something I have always wanted to try is crêpes. I've never had the pleasure of tasting one, even though I've had other French delicacies.

I found an easy crêpes recipe that is super fast and yummy, because as I have said I am culinarily challenged!!! I topped my crêpes with powered sugar and fruit, but you can add just about anything to crêpes, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert!

Stayed tuned for tomorrow when we reveal the next stop on our travel journey!

À Bientôt!

French Art + Culture: Check this out, Mes Petites

2011-10-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in contemporary French art, check out The French Art Studio, a French contemporary art exhibit from London!

♥ Bisous!

Photo Tour of French Art

2011-10-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

The world famous Musée du Louvre in Paris!

Art and France have had a love affair as old as time. Some of the greatest artists, both visual and written, have come from France. Additionally, some of the greatest artists to have ever lived have made their way to the country for its pure inspiration at some time or another in their life.

France has been on the cutting edge of making art into our understanding of Art. From the Renaissance through the Impressionist period, and into our modern day, the Art world would not be the same without French influence.

I'm going to share some of the most famous classic works of art by some of the biggest names to enter the Art World, as well as what is going on in modern French Art.

Read more about my favorite French artists and their works after the jump!

La Grande Odalisque, 1814, Oil on Canvas

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)

Famous French painter Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres was born at Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne, Midi Pyrenees, France) on the August 29th, 1780. His first lessons in art he received from his father, who was a painter and sculptor. Ingres continued then his training in the Toulouse Academy. In 1801 he won the Prix de Rome with his painting masterpiece the Ambassadors of Agamemnon, and since that time gained wide recognition. He is known as one of the major portrait painters of the 19th century. The Ingres museum in Montauban, founded 1843, received the contents of his studio by bequest. Numerous of his famous paintings and great amount of drawings are exhibiting there. Among Ingres' fine masterpieces are these on our display: The Grande Odalisque (above), The Odalisque, The Girls Montagus, The m-le Riviere, The Source, The Turkish bath.

Paul Cezanne (1839 - 1906)

Mont Sainte Victoire, 1882-1885, Post-Impressionism

A great French painter Paul Cezanne was born in the town of Aix-en-Provence (Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur) on the Janurary 19th, 1839. Cezanne made friends with impressionists painters Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and others. Being a member of their circle, none the less, Paul Cezanne always remained a very individual impressionist. He exhibited with them, though his submissions to the Salon were consistently rejected. Later Cezanne gained a foothold in his own distinct and distinguished way in art. He held his works to be "something more solid and durable" than these of the other impressionists. Most of Paul Cezanne paintings are still lifes. Cezanne did not draw his works before painting them, he started with laying colors from the very beginning. The most part of his lifetime Paul Cezanne was ignored by art critics, exhibited little and couldn't win the recognition. Now the artist is often called the father of modern painting. Many of the contemporary artists think him to have the greatest influence with the fine arts of the 20th century.

Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)

Moulin de la Galette, 1876, Oil on Canvas

A famous and preeminent French painter Pierre Auguste Renoir was born in Limoges (Limousin, France) on the February 25th, 1841. He was the child of a working class family. In 1854, at the age of 13, he began work as a painter in a porcelain factory in Paris, painting flowers on China. He followed then drawing classes and soon met Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley and Frederic Bazille whom he formed a lasting friendship with. They painted together, influenced each other and founded new painting movement Impressionism. In 1867, first Renoir's painting "Lise" was accepted at the Salon. He achieved success and was freed from financial worries in the late 1870s. Renoir painted, even bounded to a wheelchair when arthritis illness severely hampered his movement. Later on he painted with a brush strapping to his arm. Auguste Renoir is one of the best-loved painters in the world.With sunlight needling through the trees on a beauty summer day, young people dance, drink wine and flirt at the Moulin de la Galette (above) cafe, near the Montmartre. This painting is one of the happiest Renoir's compositions, it introduces a number of portraits, which are the main components of the canvas. The nice impressionist feature - dapple of sun, flickering patches of light and shadow express the vibrancy of life and fascination of youth. It is in some degree a revolutionary painting. Not anyone artist before Renoir had thought of capturing daily life's aspects in a canvas of such large size.

At the table first at the right some Renoir's friends are depicted: Norbert Goeneutte, Frank Lamy and George Riviere. The girl on the front plan (in the striped dress) is thought to be Estelle, the younger sister of Renoir's model, Jeanne. The girl in the pink dress is another of artist's model Margot. She is dancing with the painter Cardenas.

Renoir painted some other versions of the Moulin de la Galette. A painting smaller than that one in the Louvre is now in the John Hay Whitney collection in the USA; a small design is now in the Ordrupgard Museum in Denmark. It is a matter of some doubt up to now which canvas was painted on the spot in the Moulin de la Galette cafe. If it was the Louvre largest canvas, it would in any case have been worked and finished in the artist's studio in Paris.

Claude Monet (1840–1926)

Undoubtedly one of the most famous french artists of all, and claimed to be the founder of Impressionism. Monet was born in Paris but moved to Normandy with his family in 1845. He spent his later years in Normamdy but also spent time in London and Holland.
In 1890 Monet purchased his home in Giverny where he spent the remaining years of his life.
Monet was particularly interested in the effect of light and would paint the same scene in different lighting conditions or times of the day. For example, he painted around 20 versions of the Rouen Cathedral from dawn . Water Lilies (above) was a series of approximately 250 oil paintings by Monet during the French Impressionist period. The paintings depict Monet's flower garden in Givenchy, France, and were the main focus of Monet's artistic production during the last thirty years of his life. Many of the works were painted while Monet suffered from cataracts.

Henri Matisse (1869-1954)Matisse was one of the most important famous french artists of the 20th century. He's also my favorite!

Woman with a Hat, 1905, Oil on Canvas, Fauvism

He was considered one of the leaders of the Fauvist movement (which, in a nutshell, explored the use of colour as symbolic and expressing feelings rather than just depicting scenes).
He had a long and varied artistic career, painting in different styles ranging from impressionist to abstract.
His paintings are known for their vivid, sensual colours; some of his most striking paintings were completed when he spent time on the French Riviera.

Matisse was a French artist, known for his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor, but is known primarily as a painter. Matisse is commonly regarded, along with Picasso and Marcel Duchamp, as one of the three artists who helped to define the revolutionary developments in the plastic arts in the opening decades of the 20th century, responsible for significant developments in painting and sculpture. Although he was initially labelled a Fauve (wild beast), by the 1920s he was increasingly hailed as an upholder of the classical tradition in French painting. His mastery of the expressive language of colour and drawing, displayed in a body of work spanning over a half-century, won him recognition as a leading figure in modern art.

Georges Braque (1882 –1963)

Fruitdish and Glass, 1912, papier colle

Braque's paintings of 1908–1913 reflected his new interest in geometry and simultaneous perspective. He conducted an intense study of the effects of light and perspective and the technical means that painters use to represent these effects, seeming to question the most standard of artistic conventions. In his village scenes, for example, Braque frequently reduced an architectural structure to a geometric form approximating a cube, yet rendered its shading so that it looked both flat and three-dimensional by fragmenting the image.

Beginning during 1909, Braque began to work closely with Pablo Picasso, who had been developing a similar style of painting. At the time Pablo Picasso was influenced by Gauguin, Cézanne, African Tribal Masks, and Iberian sculpture, while Braque was interested mainly in developing Cézanne's ideas of multiple perspectives. A comparison of the works of Picasso and Braque during 1908 reveals that the effect of his encounter with Picasso was more to accelerate and intensify Braque’s exploration of Cézanne’s ideas, rather than to divert his thinking in any essential way. The invention of Cubism was a joint effort between Picasso and Braque, then residents of Montmartre, Paris. These artists were the style's main innovators. After meeting in October or November 1907,Braque and Picasso, in particular, began working on the development of Cubism in 1908. Both artists produced paintings of monochromatic color and complex patterns of faceted form, now termed Analytic Cubism.

A decisive time of its development occurred during the summer of 1911 when Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso painted side by side in Céret in the French Pyrenees, each artist producing paintings that are difficult—sometimes virtually impossible—to distinguish from those of the other. In 1912, they began to experiment with collage and papier collé (above).

Top 10 Favorite French Films!

2011-09-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of movies, and I think watching foreign films is a fantastic way to pick up a language. I also, just for kicks and giggles, turn on the subtitles of movies in English to learn different languages my favorite movies come in. I definitely recommend it!

Going along with our destination of the week in France, I have to share my favorite French films with you all. French cinema is rather odd, compared to American standards. Nonetheless, French cinema is totally cutting edge and intriguing. What I like best about it is how closely it follows a kind of French aesthetic, the same one the French view toward art.

France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributors. Many important cinematic movements in film, such as the Nouvelle Vague, began in the country. The famous Cannes Film Festival is the most prestigious film festival in the world.

★Fun Fact: Actor Robert De Niro is the President of the Jury for the festival.

When I have friends over for dinner or a movie night, my go-to stash of entertainment is always a French film. No matter what, the film is ALWAYS a popular topic of discussion for the group, and it certainly makes the evening lively and fun.

Check out my list of favorite French films after the break!

Click the movie title for the Trailers!

"Amelie"
"A Bout de Souffle (Breathless)"
"The 400 Blows"
"Hiroshima Mon Amour"
"Le Bonheur"
"Le Crime de Monsieur Lange" (This is a clip from the film)
"La Doublure (The Valet)"
"Swimming Pool" (This one is my favorite!)
"Nikita (La Femme Nikita)"
"Huit Femmes (8 Women)"

New Weekly Feature!

2011-09-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

I would like to add a weekly feature to the list of features in place for this blog, and that would be a weekly Film list. This, like the other posts, will be travel-inspired according to the destination of the week!

♦ Enjoy! ♦

French Music Playlist

2011-09-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

I have a deep love and admiration for French music. Seriously. I could practically have a whole separate iPod for my French music collection. I think one of the best things about French music is how wonderfully diverse it is, yet has a fundamental quality that makes it universally unique.

France has a wide variety of folk music, as well as styles played by immigrants from Africa, Latin America, and Asia. In terms of the "classical music" of the country, France has a number of legendary composers, while modern pop music is big on hip-hop, techno/house, rock, and a little genre called "Zouk". Now like many of you, I had NO IDEA what the heck zouk was as a musical genre when I first heard that term. Zouk is a style of rhythmic music originating from the Caribbean. Zouk means "party" or "festival" in the local Antillean Creole French culture in the Caribbean. Find out about Zouk here!

I, for one, am a fan of how avant-garde French music is due to how wonderfully the influences of the world blend with classic French culture.

Some popular music festivals in France to check out would be the Nice Jazz Festival, on the famed French Riviera. It boasts itself as "the first" jazz festival of international significance. Over the years, it has drawn some of Jazz's biggest acts like Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, and Louis Armstrong. Some choice rock festivals include Rock en Seine, and Les Eurock eennes de Belfort, which is one of France's largest rock festivals.

It's hard for me to widdle down my list of favorite French songs, but I composed a pretty diverse mix of jazz, rap, rock, folk, pop, and plain ol' weird French music I think you might all enjoy!

Here is the list of 10 songs I Love in French. Click the song titles for the actual links to the music/videos!

"Je Veux"- by Zaz
"La Maigrelette"- by Amelie Les Crayons
"Manoir De Mes Reves"- by Django Reinhardt
"L'empire du Cote Obscur"- by IAM
"L'effet Papillon"- by Youssoupha
"Du Ferme"- by La Fouine
"Quatre garcons dans le vent"- by Les Lionceaux (this is a cover of 'A Hard Day's Night' by the Beatles!)
"Tel que tu es"- by Charlotte Gainsbourg
"Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles"- by Francoise Hardy
"Je Veux Te Voir"- YELLE

♫ Amusez-Vous!♫

From the Editor: "There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home, and in Paris"

2011-09-26T23:19:00.000-07:00

Je t'aime, France!

Our second destination of the week was pretty much a no-brainer. All I had to do was look down at my key-chain, and quite literally "Voila!" there was my inspiration: WE WILL GO TO FRANCE!!!

I'll admit, I have a particular bias to France, and everything french, for beaucoup raisons (a lot of reasons)! Besides having French heritage, I speak french, and I even was minoring in the language for a while in college. Even though I dropped my French minor, I never dropped my love of French. Everyone knows that French is the MOST romantic language in the world, and it is incredibly beautiful to hear. French culture has definitely crêpe-d (haha, see what I did there?) it's way into the culture of the world. And countless french items have made their way states-side (and no, I don't mean French Fries).

As Gertrude Stein said :
"America is my country, and Paris is my hometown".

I'm kind of obsessed with all the fun facts, art, movies, music, crafts, decor, and recipes I have planned this week for you all! You may not know what l'esprit de l'escalier means in English, but after this week you will definitely know what is to make your daily life just a little more French!

♥Au Revoir♥

Italian Decor Craft

2011-09-25T21:57:00.001-07:00

You'll need:

2 coffee filters
Packet of instant coffee
Needle and Thread
Glue
Scissors
Stapler
Sharpie Marker

Step 1:

Fold coffee filters in half.

Step 2:

Cut a rectangle from folded coffee filters.

Step 3:

How you should cut your rectangle.

Step 4:

Completed cut rectangles. Then, stitch sides of coffee filters closed. Stitch to the top of the open side.

Step 5:

Completed stitched rectangles. Stitches may be close together, or a bit apart.

Step 6:

Fill rectangles with instant coffee packet. If you do not care for coffee, you make fill the bag with loose tea leafs.

Step 7:

Cut out or draw a shape or word out of construction paper. Take a piece of thread and glue it to back of design. I glued a small piece of extra construction paper to the back to sandwich the thread and secure it in place. Then, attach other side of thread to open end of rectangle. Fold corners down, then fold top of rectangle over them with thread attached to your design underneath. Staple closed.

Final:

ENJOY!

See my Treats page for the instructions for the Biscotti!

Authentic Italian Recipe: Biscotti

2011-09-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 1:

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped pistachios*
2/3 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract**
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

* You may substitute with almonds or hazelnuts

** You may substitute with almond extract

Step 2:

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. This will be your "dry" mix.

Step 3:

Beat sugar and eggs in bowl until thick. This takes about 1-2 minutes. Then add vanilla extract. This is your "wet" mix.

Step 4:

Add wet mix to dry mix until combined. Fold in chopped pistachios.

Step 5:

Place dough on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Form into log shape. Bake for 25 minutes.

Step 6:

Take log out of oven, let cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. In the meantime, reduce over temperature to 325 degrees.

Step 7:

After log cools, cut diagonally in about 3/4 inch sections. Use a "serrated knife" to cut diagonally. When cutting, do not press down to cut. Cut back and forth, and let the knife gradually make the cut. After, place biscotti cut-side down on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Turn over slices, then bake for another 10 minutes.

Final:

ENJOY!

See my Projects page for instructions on home-made Instant coffee bags!