Weekend Hiking: Great Falls, VA

I’m not really that outdoorsy. Bug bites make me cry, and I am a germaphobe. However, hiking is fun. Being outside on a beautiful day, climbing rocks, and enjoying lunch with a scenic view is always fun. Of course I packed wet ones, napkins, and bug cream as well as wore leggings under my shorts and avoided bug bites all together! On one of our free weekends we went to Great Falls, VA.

It was a lot of fun, and I look forward to going back, and going in the other direction with friends and more picnic food 😀

New Travel Map

World Map

I’ve decided that I want to see the world. Before my mom passed, I was more concerned about making money and having a secure future. I never took vacations or went anywhere really. But after realizing that life is short, and there are many places to see and experience, I stopped hoarding money and decided to take more trips. Paying for experiences that you can carry for the rest of your life is more worthwhile that tangible items that you will eventually throw away.

So a new feature on my blog is the travel map! Here you can check out where I’ve been and where I want to go! I’ve also added some links to posts of places that I have been. Its a great way to keep track of things. Good job google. Good job.

Eat Bar, Arlington

Food. I love it. We already know this. New favorite place to grab a bite? Eat Bar in Arlington. Its attached/next door to Tallulah, which I have yet to try out. The place is small, and has it’s own tiny parking lot, but you can find parking through the neighborhoods because the lot will most likely be full. Just go in a grab a seat if you can find one and a happy server will come tell you about any specials and their small plates menu.

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Bacon Popcorn Balls.

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Marinated Olives

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Corn dog bites

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Veal liverwurst…least liked thing of all that we got. I was hoping too much for pate that was as good as France.

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Catfish Fingers

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Pork Slider. OMG. LOVE THIS.

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Crispy Chicken wings, in a thai style chili sauce. A little too sweet for my taste.

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And the grand finale? Waffle sundae. Cocoa waffle with BACON caramel, ice cream, nuts and whipped cream.

I want this again. Yay for food adventures and adding to my list of go to meals 😀

Musée de la Vie Romantique

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Cece lives on the same street as this place.
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She loves the tree that looks like it is growing out the side of the building. It is like a sign that beneath this tree is a whole other world. While I was in France, she made me find our way home from the metro, just to test me, and this is what differentiated all the similar looking narrow streets of Paris. The morning of my last day there, she wanted to go sit in the garden and hang out until we were ready to start our day.

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This place is mentioned in a French magazine for being one of the cutest hidden spots in France. And she is so lucky to just walk across the street practically. A midst the busy city, you can get find yourself in a quiet garden, sipping tea and enjoying the tiny birds pecking at your croissant crumbs.

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I wish there was a place like this I can escape to momentarily…which is probably why I started creating my balcony oasis at home (finally). It is free to get into the garden area (we didn’t go into the museum/house). There is a little shop inside the garden which has some bites, as well as tea, coffee and other drinks.

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Check it out the next time you are in Paris!

Macarons in France

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The big debate. Laduree or Pierre Herme. Let me just say this…its pretty much your preference, classic or modern. Maybe I don’t have the advanced palate for these delicate treats but neither of them were like, “OH MY GOD WOW I LOVE IT’. Just me. I actually prefer the ones I get at home from Michel Patisserie *gasp*.
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Laduree is a cute, old style place. You can come and have a dainty tea time with your girlfriends (pinky up of course).

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Pierre Herme is definitely “cooler”. Fancy fusion of flavors, some of the macarons even sparkle!

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But between the two, which do I prefer?

What can I say? I prefer the classic flavors!