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.
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? :]
The Beauty of the Notre Dame in Paris
Oh, Paris. You are a beautiful city filled with fashion, art, culture, & gastronomy. Paris is a sight for sore eyes. It always a rush to visit the remarkable city. If you happen to find yourself in the lovely capital of France, you must take a look at the Notre Dame.
The Notre Dame under construction - September 2019 |
Related reading: 12 Drool-Worthy Food Photos from Paris, France
Tourist Information:
The Notre Dame Cathedral also referred to as Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris or Notre-Dame de Paris, is open every day of the year. Did you know that it translates into "Our Lady of Paris?" Its hours are from 8 am to 6:45 pm; on Saturdays & Sundays it's open until 7:15 pm. Access to the cathedral is free of charge during the open hours. However, you may have to wait in line. The line goes by pretty quickly but it also ranges by the day or even hour.
Related reading: How I Decided to Quit My Corporate Job While Traveling in Paris
History:
The Notre Dame is a historic Catholic cathedral with French Gothic architecture. It's about 800 years old! In 1163, construction began for the Notre Dame Cathedral; the original cathedral that stood there was demolished. Construction took quite a long time & was eventually completed over 100 years later in 1272. Since it was built, the Notre Dame has remained one of Paris's & France's most recognized symbols.
Related reading: How To Use Google Flights to Find Cheap Flights
I love viewing the grandeur that is the Notre Dame. It's a wonderful place to visit regardless of how many times you've seen it. I am obsessed with churches & religious art. I always have been; I remember it started in my ninth grade world history class. Last time I featured the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
Once you get inside it's up to you what you want to see. There's no right or wrong way to do things. Walk around. People watch. Look at the stained glass. You can buy a candle, light it, & say a little prayer. Take a moment to soak in the glory of the Notre Dame. If you're in Paris, France this is a must-see experience. It's just one of those things you have to do!
Related reading: Reminiscing About Paris, Planning Future Trips, & Gin Punch
The Notre Dame is a world wonder. It has so much character after being developed over hundreds of years. When you visit Paris make sure to set some time aside to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral. After all they made a whole Disney movie about it, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. That has to mean something, right?
Have you ever visited Paris or the Notre Dame? :]
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How to Eat on a Budget While Traveling Abroad
Traveling abroad is one of the most amazing things you can do in life. You get to witness how other people live their lives, what they eat, how they speak. There's really nothing like it. One of my favorite things about traveling is trying local foods, new foods, & getting out of my usual routine. The thing to consider is that you're already paying a huge chunk of change for your plane ticket. The question therein is: how do you eat cheap & on a budget while traveling abroad? Don't worry I've got your back with plenty of tips to lead you on the right track. Here's to eating well & eating cheap!
Related reading: How To Use Google Flights to Find Cheap Flights
Mercat de la Boqueria - Barcelona, Spain |
Do your research
If you have some sort of Internet access look online to see what food is out there. You can check out Yelp, browse reviews, & search for affordable options in your area. There's no way that you could possibly know all the restaurants & cafes yourself, so to do a little bit of research & narrow it down. Be sure to consider the pricing, portion size, & distance from your current location.Understand tipping
Tipping practices vary per country. Some don't require or expect tips at all. Some include tips into your check. Make sure you learn & understand how it works. Over time, you'll save a pretty penny if you know the tipping culture.
Related reading: How to Survive a Family Vacation as an Adult
Go to a grocery store
Heading to local grocery stores is one of my favorite things about traveling. I will never forget Albert Heijn, a Dutch supermarket. You have no idea how many times I went into that store to buy delicious juice, cheese croissants, & lentil avocado salad. Their prices were cheap & made for the perfect picnic. Grocery stores & markets are the way to go because you get to grab something to-go or make, cook, & assemble your own meals. You can also buy coffee or tea bags to save you from picking up one every morning.Pack your lunch
You're out & about all day exploring the city & its many wonders. Save some cash by bringing lunch with you. It's just like the old days in elementary school; packing your lunch will keep your cost down. The fun challenge is finding a lovely place to eat your lunch. Picnics are everything when traveling abroad! I'll never forget the quaint garden lunch at a picnic table in Copenhagen or the lovely lakeside picnic in Amsterdam. Those packed picnic lunches were some of my favorite memories from traveling abroad.Eat before you're super hungry
I admit I made this mistake many times. Learn from my mistakes. In order to save money while you're traveling the world, eat before you're super hungry. If you're about to faint from hunger you'll likely visit the first place you see regardless of its price. That doesn't really help if you're on a budget. Be sure to get some food before you're starving.Have a snack on hand
This kind of goes hand in hand with the above tip. Always always always have a snack with you. Keep it in your purse, your backpack, your fanny pack or pocket if you have to. If you have a snack with you you won't immediately be tempted to lunge at the first sight of food. A banana, cup of cereal, or mixed nuts ought to do the trick.Ask a local
Engage with the locals & inquire about their favorite restaurant, cafe, or underrated eatery. Ask about budget-friendly options in the neighborhood. Locals know a hell of a lot more about the city than you do. Take their advice & run with it. You have no idea how many times asking a local about something totally enhanced my overall experience.Eat at the hotel
If you're at a hotel, motel, hostel, Airbnb that includes a meal, take advantage of it. In Paris, my mom, sister, & I ate breakfast every day at the hostel. That saved us about €10 per person per day. You can buy souvenirs, macarons, museum tickets, or what have you with that money. The more cash you save by eating on a budget when you travel abroad leaves more room for other options.Use a kitchen
Does your hotel or Airbnb have a kitchen? Take advantage of it. Cook your meals at home. We all know this is one of the best ways to eat on a budget in general. As a broke college student, I took pride in being able to scrummage up food with whatever I had in the house. You can obviously supplement that by going to the grocery store.Refill your water bottle
In some countries, you have to pay for water at the restaurant or they may not give you any at all. I remember sitting down for lunch in Denmark & specifically asking for tap water only to find out that they charged for it. Lesson learned. Buy a water bottle & refill it. You'll save a lot of money on water alone.Drink outside
Europe is pretty chill about drinking outside or in public. Stop by the store & pick up a bottle of wine, some beer, even juices rather than buying them at a restaurant at a markup. I spent €6 on a beer at a restaurant. Then I got wise & bought an even larger beer at the market for about €2. Do a little research on the laws about drinking in public in your country.Go to the Market
I always like to visit the farmer's market wherever I may roam. Whether I unintentionally happen upon one in Milan, Italy or perhaps a very purposeful promenade through Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona, Spain. Markets & farmer's markets tend to have almost a wholesale price for produce, veggies, & other goodies. Plus, they're as fresh as can be.
Were these tips on how to eat a budget while traveling abroad of any use? Any tips I left out? :]
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