Things To Do in Gouda, Holland (The Netherlands)
Gouda is one of my favorite types of cheeses. What is gouda? The cheese tastes creamy & rich; the soft texture that makes almost melt in your mouth, making nearly irresistible to munch on. It's similar to Havarti cheese in that way.
That's why I was so excited when Gouda, a city in the Netherlands, made its way onto my family's radar during our Europe trip. I made sure we put it on the itinerary because I just had to see where the famous cheese hailed from. There are a few things to do if you're visiting Gouda, Holland.
The city of Gouda is a Dutch cheese town. While Gouda is world-famous for its cheese, it's also recognized for smoking pipes & stroopwafels — a waffle sandwich made from two extremely thin layers of baked batter with a caramel syrup filling in the middle aka a gift from the heavens. Stroopwafels were invented in Gouda! How cool is that?! Side note: I ate soooo0oo many stroopwafels on my trip; they're incredible. If you have access to an international market, keep your eyes out for them. Or you can buy stroopwafels online.
The Gouda market square has a gorgeous gothic city hall that's hard to miss & beautiful to photograph. You can explore the town, the Gouda market, the shops, & everything in between in a day. Gouda is a relatively small place but there's still plenty of things to do in town. You can appreciate it for a few hours or stay overnight.
That's why I was so excited when Gouda, a city in the Netherlands, made its way onto my family's radar during our Europe trip. I made sure we put it on the itinerary because I just had to see where the famous cheese hailed from. There are a few things to do if you're visiting Gouda, Holland.
The city of Gouda is a Dutch cheese town. While Gouda is world-famous for its cheese, it's also recognized for smoking pipes & stroopwafels — a waffle sandwich made from two extremely thin layers of baked batter with a caramel syrup filling in the middle aka a gift from the heavens. Stroopwafels were invented in Gouda! How cool is that?! Side note: I ate soooo0oo many stroopwafels on my trip; they're incredible. If you have access to an international market, keep your eyes out for them. Or you can buy stroopwafels online.
Related reading: Amsterdam, the Netherlands in Black & White
The Gouda market square has a gorgeous gothic city hall that's hard to miss & beautiful to photograph. You can explore the town, the Gouda market, the shops, & everything in between in a day. Gouda is a relatively small place but there's still plenty of things to do in town. You can appreciate it for a few hours or stay overnight.
Related reading: Veggie Meal Alert! Thrill Grill in Haarlem, Netherlands
Munching on local delicacies is one of my favorite things to do in Europe. The Netherlands is particularly known for their apple tarts so I recommend eating them as often as possible. While I was there, the indulgence was real. The apple tart in Gouda had giant chunks of apple. Soft on the outside with a slightly crispy interior. An absolute delight.
What is Gouda?
Since Gouda cheese hails from Gouda, Netherlands (duh), you have the opportunity to sample product like you're the queen (or king) of the world. Coconut gouda, pesto gouda, paprika gouda, fenugreek gouda. All the gouda cheese flavors of the rainbow. It's something I still dream about. I tell you what: there's no gouda like the gouda from Gouda. Say that fast 10 times!
Related reading: How to Save $$$ on Flights Using Google Flights
If you make it out to the Dutch cheese town of Gouda, be sure to take the time to eat any of the local food. I drooled at every bakery & cafe & restaurant I walked by. One of the best parts of traveling is tasting various types of cuisine. Eating out can get expensive so it's important to understand how to eat on a budget while traveling abroad. How cute are these fruit-inspired gummy candies?!?
Looking for a hotel in Gouda, Netherlands? Here are some options - just put in your check-in & check-out dates to see what's available:
Booking.com
The canals of Holland are magnificent. Each one has its own personality & ranges in every city. Back in the day, the canals were used for water management, transportation, & defense purposes. As the times changed, the canals are normally utilized for recreational activities like canal tours. Gouda continues to use the tradition of canals with some unique cheese-inspired decorations.
My experience in Gouda, Netherlands was delicious but brief. Take a look at the town center or the local shops, & make sure you stop to enjoy a pastry & some cheese. Walk around the Gouda market square. Grab a wheel of gouda cheese to go as your own edible souvenir. Gouda is an old town with a lot of character. It remains fondly in my heart.
Have you visited Gouda? Have you eaten the cheese? :]
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35+ Bath & Body Works Wallflower Refill Scents & Descriptions
Just because the holiday season is over doesn't mean you have to give up on the joyful festivities & the holiday aromas. After Christmas, I celebrated my second annual tradition of going to Bath & Body Works to restock on the Wallflower refills. Sales often depend on what is left in stock. If you want to learn more about them, take a look at my Bath & Body Works Wallflower Review; it has all the information you need to determine whether a Wallflower plug and fragrance refill is a good fit for you or not.
What's a Wallflower Plug In?
Wallflowers are a hassle-free way to have a constant wave of lovely scents waft through the room. It's an air freshener with a range of fragrances. Some fragrance refills are bold, while some scents are uplifting, some are relaxing or comforting. There are literally dozens and dozens of scents and plug-ins to choose from so you can find something that suits your taste.
Bath and Body Works labels the scents as such:
- Fruity & Happy
- Floral & Uplifting
- Fresh & Relaxing
- Warm & Comforting
*Updated as of September 2021.
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| Popular Bath Body Works Wallflowers fragrances |
I did some after Christmas shopping & splurged on these Wallflowers. I went all out & purchased 18 different fragrance refill scents! I even rejected a few just to cut down on the price. They were on sale for $3 a pop; their regular retail price is $6.50. Last year I bought them for $2.50 so their sale price went up.
How long do Bath and Body Works Wallflowers scents last? Each Wallflower fragrance refill acts as an air freshener. In smaller rooms, the fragrance refill lasts about four weeks/one month, so this batch is sure to get me through the whole year & then some -- approximately a year & a half.
If you have a larger room, the scent may only last a couple of weeks. Certainly, something to consider.
Bath and Body Works Wallflower Scents and their description
- Alpine Cheer - Breathe in crisp mountain balsam, cedar wood bark, & snow white cranberry.
- Autumn Woods - Dark Walnut, English Lavender, White Amber.
- Blackberries and Basil - Fresh Blackberries, Sparkling Champagne, Basil.
- Cheers Mulled Wine - Raise a glass with red fruit & mulled apples layered over rare saffron spice.
- Cinnamon Caramel Swirl - Cinnamon enhances silky vanilla caramel in the fragrance of a holiday treat.
- Cinnamon & Clove Buds - A warmly spicy scent -- classic cinnamon, simmering clove buds, & exquisite vanilla.
- Cinnamon Stick - Ceylon Cinnamon Stick, Vanilla, Spiced Sugar with Essential Oils.
- Dashing Through the Snow - Enjoy the crisp cool air of a sleigh ride with balsam, wintery musk, & sparkling citrus.
- Fall Fresh Morning - Citrus Zest, Woodland Sage, Red Delicious Apples with Essential Oils.
- Flannel - Fresh Bergamot, Heirloom Mahogany, Soft Musk with Essential Oils.
- Fresh Balsam - The invigorating fragrance of snow-dusted balsam, fir, & eucalyptus.
- Fresh Sparkling Snow - Icy pear, frozen melon, & frosted musk capture winter's sparkle.
- Harvest Cranberry Woods - The beauty of harvest in fresh cranberries, black currant, & cinnamon.
- Holiday Mulled Cider - Enjoy apple cider mulled with holiday spice & creamy birchwood.
- Home Pumpkin Cheesecake - Decadent cheesecake in notes of spiced pumpkin, cream, & a golden crust.
- In the Stars - Sparkling Bergamot, Apricot Blossom, Fluffed Sandalwood.
- Laundry Day - Fresh Air, Crisp Eucalyptus, Soft Lavender.
- Lavender Vanilla - Lavender Blossom, Creamy Vanilla, White Woods, Sugared Musk.
- Mahogany Teakwood - Rich Mahogany, Black Teakwood, Dark Oak, Frosted Lavender.
- Marshmallow Fireside - Toasted Marshmallow, Smoldering Woods, Fire Roasted Vanilla.
- Open Sky - Fresh Air, Wild Blackberries, Soft Violet, Comforting Vanilla.
- Pumpkin Pecan Waffles - Maple Syrup, Golden Waffles, Pumpkin Spice, Brown Sugar with Essential Oils.
- Sparkling Icicles - Let holiday parties sparkle with the fragrance of moss, bergamot, & citrus.
- Strawberry Pound Cake - Fresh Strawberries, Golden Shortcake, Whipped Cream.
- Sun-Drenched Linen - Cool Cotton, Crisp Apple, Soft Musk.
- Sunshine Mimosa - Bright, Bubbly Champagne, Fresh Citrus.
- Sweater Weather - Cuddle up with an aromatic blend of eucalyptus, juniper berry, & fresh sage.
- Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin - An inviting mixture of harvest pumpkin, sweet vanilla cream, & cinnamon stick.
- Thankful Chestnut & Clove - A luxurious blend of rich chestnut, aromatic cedar, & freshly ground cloves.
- Twisted Peppermint - Make it very merry with peppermint, vanilla & sugary musk.
- Vampire Blood - Blood Red Strawberry, Midnight Blooming Jasmine, Dark Transylvanian Plum with Essential Oils.
- Vanilla Patchouli - Made with Vanilla Absolute and Sandalwood and Patchouli Essential Oils.
- Welcome Autumn Spiced Wreath - Welcome Thanksgiving with balsam sprigs, cinnamon bark, & ground cloves.
- Winter - Pine, icy mandarin, & winter woods embody this sparkling season.
- Winter Sun - A blend of citrus, vetiver, & musk inspired by winter sunlight.
Some of these are very clearly Thanksgiving/autumn related aromas whereas others are Christmas/winter related. Given that each Wallflower is three bucks & will last me about 30 days, that adds up to about $.10 a day. That's not a bad figure at all. My boyfriend randomly chose one & we currently have Holiday Mulled Cider keeping the bedroom smelling fresh. Within about an hour I noticed the smell emitting from the Wallflower. It's noticeable but not overwhelming for your nose.
I would not purchase Bath Body Works Wallflowers fragrance refills at regular prices that's why I stock up once a year after Christmas. But sometimes you have to pay full price if you truly love something! Just plug it in and leave it be, it'll do its own thing as a room fragrance. You can buy the Wallflower fragrance refill online or pick up in store.
Do you have a Wallflower fragrance refill?
Which of these Wallflowers fragrance plug scents sounds the best to you? How do you fragrance your home? I'd love to learn what you do to make your house, bathroom, bedroom, etc. smell delectable. Bath and Body works has many fragrance refill options and scent profiles, no matter what your preference, you'll find something! :]
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Get the Look: Bianca's Prom Dress from 10 Things I Hate About You
90s style is all the rage. I recently got a blast from the past by watching 10 Things I Hate About You with Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Larisa Oleynik. It was marvelous. In the film, Bianca's pretty in pink prom dress -- or prom crop top with a hot pink tulle skirt, as it should be called -- is way too chic to ignore. The separate pieces give it a relaxed feel but the satin & tulle show some glamour. I simply couldn't resist recreating the iconic look. We all love Kat but this post is about Bianca. Get the look with Bianca's prom dress from 10 Things I Hate About You!
There are two vital items to start off your iconic look. The first thing you need is a shiny, bright pink crop top or metallic cropped tank top. It doesn't have to be too cropped just enough to show a sliver of skin. The next thing is a somewhat long pink tulle skirt! You can even go for a floor-length pink tulle skirt. You will look like a lovely pink ballerina. These two make a whimsical, vintage-inspired pair. Once you find these key items the rest is up to you. You can even wear a slip dress under if you can't find the right shirt. There are many dresses that you can go with!
There are two vital items to start off your iconic look. The first thing you need is a shiny, bright pink crop top or metallic cropped tank top. It doesn't have to be too cropped just enough to show a sliver of skin. The next thing is a somewhat long pink tulle skirt! You can even go for a floor-length pink tulle skirt. You will look like a lovely pink ballerina. These two make a whimsical, vintage-inspired pair. Once you find these key items the rest is up to you. You can even wear a slip dress under if you can't find the right shirt. There are many dresses that you can go with!
Not a skirt person? try it with a pink pair of pants or trousers. You can even add pants with the tulle.
Possible items you can use to recreate Bianca's 10 Things I Hate About You prom dress:
- Hot pink tulle skirt - Find it on Amazon
- Floor-length pink skirt - Find it on Amazon
- Women's Ruffle Short Sleeve Tie Up Off Shoulder Blouse - Find it on Amazon
- Sleeveless pink metallic cropped tank - Find it on Amazon
- Rhinestone Butterfly Choker Necklaces Glitter Pink - Find it on Amazon
- Chunky silver pumps - Find them on Amazon
Bianca and Kat are sisters. Each one dresses differently with their unique style. During the prom scene in 10 Things I Hate About You with Julia Stiles & Heath Ledger, Bianca holds a unique satin pink bag. It's hard to find something quite like it so I did my best to search for an alternative. All you need is a bold pink coin purse that's small enough to hold your essentials but not large enough to hide the world.
Accessorize your prom look with a dainty & sweet necklace of your choice. You might as well go with a retro 90s looking choker necklace. If you have a genuine necklace from the 1990s that's even better, but not all of us are so lucky as to have those lying around. The stretchy chokers are very cheap & easy to find these days.
Accessorize your prom look with a dainty & sweet necklace of your choice. You might as well go with a retro 90s looking choker necklace. If you have a genuine necklace from the 1990s that's even better, but not all of us are so lucky as to have those lying around. The stretchy chokers are very cheap & easy to find these days.
The last thing you'll need to complete Bianca's iconic prom dress look is a pair of cute strappy heels. You'll only need a darling pair to last long enough to capture for the photos. By the time you start dancing you'll probably take them off after a couple of songs. That's how it normally goes at dances. I can vouch for that because dancing in high heels is no easy feat. This 10 Things I Hate About You prom dress could even be used as a Halloween costume or worn to your next event.
What do you think of this 10 Things I Hate About You outfit inspired by Bianca's prom dress? Which is your favorite piece? Have you seen the film? Who is your favorite character? :]
Want a few more Get the Look Halloween costumes?
Laney Boggs Prom Dress from She's All That - view here.
Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls - view here.
The Plastics from Mean Girls - view here.
Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family - view here.
Cher's White Dress in Clueless- view here.
Halloween Costume Idea Cher Horowitz Clueless Yellow Plaid Outfit - view here.
Tonight is Halloween || A poem
She exhaled listlessly
& her spirit escaped.
Her body called it quits
& thus, her soul reshaped.
She began a new life
in the pale, grey moonlight.
This was a special time,
it was Halloween night.
She opened her blue eyes
Do you know what she saw?
She looked at her still self;
it was her last hurrah.
Her name was Athena,
like the goddess of war.
She dusted herself off
& arose from the floor.
Her body just lay there,
but her soul was alive.
That's when she decided
it was her time to thrive.
So she floated away
& explored somewhere new.
That's not really something
she would normally do.
Quiet & heartbroken,
cheerless, sad, & somber,
Timid & powerless,
too frightened to wander.
Fearful of everything,
she was not at all brave.
However, that all changed
when she sprung from the grave.
You're probably asking:
"Why on earth should I care?"
The reason is plain but
it may give you a scare.
She would like you to know
that life is not easy.
There are troubles to have;
it won't all be breezy.
Life is quite difficult
until the day you die.
Then you take your last breath
& mutter a goodbye.
Your body soon decays
& you become a ghost.
You'll meet with the others
& you'll all raise a toast:
Cheers to life & to death,
to the haunting we'll do,
to spooking the children,
& always yelling "BOO!"
To tricking & treating,
to pumpkins & to pranks,
to stealing some candy
with no need to say thanks.
To goblins & spiders,
& to the webs they weave.
Because of all of this
our souls shall never leave.
That's why it's so spooky.
No one will hear you scream.
After all, don't you know?
Tonight is Halloween.
Tonight is Halloween
A poem by Carmen Varner
++++++
Wishing you a happy Halloween. Have fun & stay safe!
Did you enjoy this poem? Feel free to share it! What are your plans today? :]
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