08.09.2013

budapest love.

V.


Good evening everyone! :)
Today I would like to share some travel pictures with you guys. As you were already able to read in the title,- me and my boyfriend once visited Budapest in February '13 and it was by far one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The trip actually was my birthday present from him and I was extremely thrilled to finally visit this wonderful place. As soon as I found out about where we'd stay, I was totally shocked yet excited at the same time.

Our hotelroom wasn't in fact a room, it was a suite that included a kitchen and a small living room! It was unbelievable. I felt like I was in the wrong movie! 

The hotel's called Boscolo Residence which is located in the heart of Budapest and houses suites of various size. 

The Boscolo Residence can be found right next to the Boscolo Hotel, which is a high-class luxury hotel. 

However, the contemporary and youthful design of the rooms at the Boscolo Residence are much more appealing, I think. 



The reason why I'm telling you all of this is, is because we are planning to stay in Budapest on New Year's Eve and for a few more days! :) I am sooo excited already, all that's left to do is pick a hotel and a train. However, the search won't take so long as I've already fallen in love with the Boscolo Residence so much that I can't imagine going anywhere else. I mean seriously,- who wouldn't pay 150€ per person for 2 nights in an excellent 5 star hotel suite with spa and breakfast buffet? That's like nothing! Their service is amazing, the location of the hotel is just heaven. What more could you want, right? 







I really must say,.. I'm definitely intrigued to see a beautiful city like Budapest in the summertime too, however, I also love spending time there when it's snowy and cold. In February, it was already a bit warmer than we'd expected, however there was still this "after-christmas-y" feeling going on everywhere.. 




















The city Budapest is very similar to Vienna on some levels, maybe due to the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy back in the 19th/20th, during wich time architects, artists, musicians must have spread their inspirations and works everywhere.. So even though it's a totally different location, it still feels like home to me somehow..






Well, but of course, there are also some totally non-Hungarian or Austrian places in Budapest like the Hard Rock Cafe.. (ate a delicious steak there, btw.) :)







If you're ever going to Budapest, I can give you an absolute must see museum tip: The House of Terror is a museum located at Andrássy út 60 in Budapest. It contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist dictatorial regimes in 20th - century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building. If you're interested, check out The House of Terror Website.




















One of the restaurants we've been to and that we can highly recommend is a boat restaurant called SPOON, which can be recognized by giant spoons at the entrace door. :) 









Our dinner was absolutely amazing and the view on the Royal Palace from our table was stunning. Afterwards we strolled home towards our hotel and took a look at the fascinatingly beautiful Chain Bridge.

Back at the hotel I ate my take-out Sachertorte (chocolate cake) while watching "Love actually". :)

That night we also dared to take a look at the beautiful spa where we got ourselves some massages as well. I came out there more relaxed than ever before, it was just wonderful!


On our last day we thought we'd get a typical Hungarian lunch,- a goulash, at the Cafe "New York" which is part of the Boscolo Hotel.









 And soon it was bye bye again! But I can't wait to visit you again, lovely Budapest! :)
PS.: Here's a link to a lovely short clip about Budapest in the Wintertime that I found and really adore: BUDAPEST 

03.09.2013

good morning.

V.


Hello guys! :) Today I decided to give you a little glimpse at my breakfast table. Due to the fact that our friend Lisa had spent the night at my apartment yesterday, I wanted her to enjoy her stay. Therefore I made her my favourite meal - spinache noodles with goat cheese - after she had arrived from work yesterday. After lunch we talked for many hours until we had to make ourselves ready to meet Esther and Simone at a nice bar 'round the corner. At 10pm we came back to the apartment and ate tons of chocolate while watching the "Germany's Next Topmodel Best of Catfights" DVD! It was awesome! :)
 
Well,- and now back to the title of this Blogpost: As I am not exactly the most capable and talented cook, I tried my best to serve Lisa a simple yet yummy breakfast without setting my entire kitchen on fire. And I do believe that I've achieved that. :)
























01.09.2013

wibbly wobbly timey wimey ... stuff.

E.

As Vicky has already told you, I celebrated my birthday on Thursday. And let me tell you: it was amazing! I was actually planning on completely ignoring the fact that I am another year older but unfortunately none the wiser. However, I didn't see eye-to-eye on that with my dear sister Samira who was beginning to plan my birthday party one week before my actual birthday. She was very secretive and sometimes I wasn't even allowed to leave my room. All I knew was that my family was going to dress up and she was going to bake the cake. Cakes, to be precise. I was a little worried, to be honest, because my sister usually avoids to cook and bake and I thought the kitchen would be a mess afterwards. It wasn't helping that she came running upstairs, laughing hysterically and yelling »It looks like a piece of mud« after the cake was done. 

On my actual birthday (when I was finally allowed to go downstairs again) I was beyond surprised to find this hanging over our living-room entrance:

























In our living room the next pleasant surprise was waiting for me:


























My family had dressed up as some of my favourite characters! My father (who wasn't very excited about this charade) was dressed as Sherlock (the BBC Sherlock of course), my mother was portraying Snape (in this picture she's showing off her cape) and my sister was happy to be dressed as the 11th Doctor - and had even made the sonic srewdriver herself. 


She even made a paper-Dalek (which my dog was very afraid of)! Here you can see the two amazing cakes (and a wand) she made herself!



























As soon as I had come in, my sister gave me the wand and glasses, pinned the Gryffindor-Crest on my blazer and drew a lightning scar on my forehead - I was supposed to be Harry Potter :)






























































































(Yes, even the Dalek signed my birthday card!) 
After I had received my presents (flowers, money for a new camera and chocolate-covered ginger bread), we had lunch which my dad made at my request: roasted pole beans, potatoes and halloumi and afterwards, of course, the Tardis cake whilst listening to the Doctor Who Intro.





















































I am so grateful to have such an amazing family! It was without a doubt the best birthday ever :)