Saint Augustine

· Fashion, Food, Travel

We leave Orlando and the Disneyworld parks, and continue our american road-trip. I hope you’ll forgive me for this very delayed post (this travel story dates back to fall of 2016!) but at least it’ll bring some sun into our very morose parisian weather.

So, today we’re headed to Saint Augustine in Florida, known to be the oldest town in the USA.

Indeed, Saint Augustine was where the Spanish conquistadors first disembarked on american soil in 1513. The european/spanish atmosphere is palpable at every streetcorner. We had one day planned to visit the city, and we found it to be sufficient.

 

Saint George street

It was quite nice to walk down this shady/touristy/shopping street, lined with Spanish colonial houses.

There are shops with food, candy and souvenirs of course, but you can also stop to visit the oldest school, the oldest house or the oldest prison of the United-States.

“I’ll take you to the candy shop ♬”

 

The historical area

Saint Augustine basilica cathedral

It’s around St George Street and the Saint Augustine basilica cathedral. It’s possible to visit the Castillo San Marcos fort – which we missed out on, we found ourselves trapped in a candy store (which probably had about a million food dyes and other artificial elements to them) (so shameful, I know).

Flager college

 

Bridge of lions

It got its name from the two massive marble Medicis lions that guard it. We enjoyed watching the sunset from there, all these hues!

 

My favorite food spots at Saint Augustine

Except for all the candy stores (that you definitively can’t miss if you walk around the city), we tried two spots (one for lunch, one for dinner), that were quite conclusive.

 

OC WHITE’S (18 Avenida Menendez)

Looks like we are in Dawson’s creek ! ^^

Recommended by Comptoir des Voyages, we enjoyed our lunch under the terrace parasols. Seafood is a big part of their menu.

Clam chowder

Heat nonewithstanding, we tried the homemade clam chowder, that apparently won a “best soup” award : it seemed pretty deserving – it was delicious.

Crab gouda stuffed Portobello sandwich & Lunch shrimp abaco

We shared a crab gouda-stuffed portobello burger and shrimp spaghetti. Even if the presentation of the food is quite homely, everything was delicious.

 

CATCH 27 (40 Charlotte Street)

This place serves only local food, with an emphasis on seafood as well. I especially loved the fish tacos and the deviled eggs topped with fried oysters. So good.

Fish tacos & Deviled eggs BLT with southern fried oyster

Bye Bye Saint Augustine !

I hope this rather quick tour of Saint Augustine will have given you a feel of the atmosphere. It’s a lovely town that you can easily discover by foot (rare enough in the USA that it deserves to be noted!) and the historical aspect makes it an interesting place to visit.

Our next stop is Savannah in Georgia, where I think I spent one of the most scary nights of my entire life! To be continued … (English translation by Marine)


My Outfit

Tee shirt Samsøe & Samsøe
Mom jeans Only (-55%)
Espadrilles Sézane
Bag R Essentiel (already seen here)
Bandana ASOS

Bracelets Dinh Van, Mya Bay, Louis Vuitton
Ring Papyrus Atelier B
Watch Cluse (already seen here)

Lipstick Infaillible Sexy Balm « 203 Yala Yolo » L’Oréal Paris
Eyeliner Super Liner Black Lacquer L’Oréal Paris

Sunday lifestyle

· Decoration, Food

Considering the chaotic weather yesterday, we decided to not go outside. The occasion for me to show you a few new decoration ideas for cozy brunches.

 

Let’s do brunch !

Peg board Urban Outfitters
Marble pot AM.PM
Kettle Hario Japan (found in Printemps store)

 

It seems that my post last Friday inspired me to prepare a Scottish breakfast with beans, eggs, bacon and homemade tattie scones (but no haggis!).

Homemade Tattie scones (I used this recipe)
Marble coffee table E.Gallina pour AM.PM
Paper napkins Bloomingville

 

I also baked a sponge cake with almonds (if interested, I will share the “easy peasy” recipe shortly).

Golden cutlery AM.PM

 

Also on the list, pastries, peanuts butter with small bites (I didn’t know this “crunchy” version), fresh fruits, it .. in a nutshell, only happiness!

Fruit basket Present Time
Bulb vase AM PM

 

I had prepared last week a brunch when my friend Lionel visited us… and since then we were looking for the next one !

You may have noticed that I fell for new coppery decorations and for a peg board on which I started imagining the menu of my so wanted virtual tearoom ! (So far I only know how to make the matcha cake, Calpis water and tea, just to warn you! Haha!)

Peg board Urban Outfitters
Bear timer brought from Japan
Wooden radio Lexon

 

Clock Present Time
Copper frames Hübsch (or golden here)

 

A perfect Sunday to refill our batteries away from the rain. Have a good week! (English translation by Quiterie)

A surprise weekend in Edinburgh

· Illustration, Travel

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you know that for my birthday end of January, my SO “kidnapped” me and flew me all the way to an unknown destination! I had gotten a few hints before we left : “Plane ride + weather like the one in Paris + Currency is not the Euro”. I was thinking maybe Prague or London?

Crazy as it may seem, the secret was kept all the way until we landed : Hiiiiii! I was going to spend my birthday in Edinburgh!

 

Edinburgh mini guide

Edinburgh castle

To be quite honest, I wasn’t expecting to do a blog post – it was a relaxing weekend, where we weren’t in a “report” set of mind …. but following my posts on Instagram, some of you asked for addresses to prepare for an upcoming trip (Ah! You’re all trying to get me to work!)

So I gathered all I had photographed with my Iphone, and dove right back into the addresses I tried out, and here I am with a mini-guide of Edinburgh!

Let me start with a disclaimer : it won’t necessarily be very thorough, since we were trying to walk as little as possible : my SO, being the great sportsmana he is (haha) had a bad ankle sprain and had both a brace and crutches! But I hope this will still be useful!

 

Visiting Edinburgh

The cutest bookshop on Victoria street

Scotland’s capital is clearly a walkable city, but due to the “crutches situation”, we took a lot of cabs (who were adorable! Contrary to the cabdrivers in Paris, they will take a fare even for 300m! Haha!).  The list is far from complete, but I still think we saw quite a lot of things, considering our circumstances, don’t you think?

 

Edinburgh castle : we didn’t go in for a visit – we were afraid it would be too much walking for the SO’s ankle…next time!

Scottish National Portrait Gallery : we did end up browsing in this museum, as a way to escape the rain. I particularly enjoyed the exposition with ultra-realist portaits, and pictures with a little Mc Gregor-y surprise at the end!

Ewaaaaaan ! <3

 

Victoria Street : : the colorful road that is said to have inspired JK Rowling for Diagon Alley (see how I’m getting there with my Harry Potter trivia? I’m close to finishing the 3rd book!)

 

Greyfriars kirkyard : a cemetery where you’ll find a number of Harry Potter fans – it houses the grave of Tom Riddle! (wait, what’s happening to me, where are all these Harry Potter references coming from!?)

BoooOOOOO !

 

Calton Hill : we climbed all the way up the hill (with the crutches!) under the admirative/disapproving glances of surrounding tourists, but it was totally worh it ! A great view of the city, a mix of architecture, and this almost Parthenon, scottish style!

To see next time : the Scottish Natinal Gallery of Modern Art (no time!), Arthur’s Seat (when the SO’s ankle is better).

 

Eating in Edinburgh

Urban Angel (121 Hanover St) a café where you can get a quick lunch or brunch. There’s a bit of wait, but it was a cosy and relaxed atmosphere (and there was good music). The gluten free food they offered was of good quality.

 

The Elephant House (21 George IV Bridge) the café where JK Rowling started writing the Harry Potter saga. I don’t know if inspiration inhabits the place, but it’s welcoming, and there’s a pretty view of Greyfriars Kirkyard. The food is good but not amazing, but fans will love walking in the steps of their favorite author, and reading the inscriptions in the bathroom (that I didn’t read, I was too afraid of spoilers!)

 

Mimi’s Bakehouse 63 Shore (Leith): a teahouse for a proper teatime. On the picture, the plates holds food for one person (me!), my SO had decided to be reasonable, and opted for a slice (but quite a big one!) of carrot cake.

 

The Scran & Scallie (1 Comely Bank Rd, Stockbridge) : Gastro-pub that I really recommend. This is where my SO had made a reservation for my birthday dinner, and I loved it, the food was delicious! I remember amazing meaty oysters, and a delicious pearl barley risotto with artichoke. Make sure you book in advance.

 

Howies restaurant (10-14 Victoria St) : a chain of scottish restaurants that serves local products, prepared with care. No pictures,but we enjoyed the experience.

 

I tried haggis (for breakfast … yes, I’m fearless) : ewe’s stomach stuffed with a mix of oats and minced meat. I liked it!

The haggis is hiding behind the black pudding

 

This surprise scottish weekend really made me want to come back and stay longer to visit the city, the vicinity and actually all of Scotland. I was charmed by the atmosphere, the architecture, the loveliness of people there (The Ewan touch!) despite the very thick accent (but it’s part of the charm!).

Don’t hesitate and leave your own recommendations in the comment section below, it’s always helpful! Thank you! (English translation by Marine)

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