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Initial Bali Snapshots

I’m in love with Bali. It’s truly one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited, and the people here could not be any nicer. I’m a little behind on posting, so I’ve compiled our first few days in one post and will share additional pictures from our cooking class, trip to Padang Padang beach (where they filmed Eat, Pray, Love), dinner at Jimbaran Bay, and elephant ride soon.

Food

Eight Degrees South – great Mediterranean food
Suku – tasty Asian cuisine with nightly Balinese dance performances
Azure – our poolside go-to for lunch
East – a casual dining spot at the Conrad
Sakala – a phenomenal food experience – a trust “must” in Bali
Lakeview Cafe – delicious Asian buffet with breathtaking views
2Day Cafe – as close to a warung (local restaurant) as we’ve tried – great veggies
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Experiences

Relaxing at the gorgeous Conrad Bali lagoon pool and beach
Eating miso soup and drinking freshly squeezed mango juice for breakfast
Practicing outdoor yoga and exploring Nusa Dua by foot
Watching the awe-inspiring Devdan Show (think Cirque du Soleil + So You Think You Can Dance?)
Trying fresh Luwak coffee (read this to find out how it’s made)
Exploring the Balinese coffee plantation, Santi
Witnessing a perfect rainbow between Mt. Agung and Mt. Batur (sleeping volcano)
Trying lots of fresh fruit (except the stinky durian fruit – see Sasha eating it below)
Enjoying the cultural Barong and Kris Dance performance
Our favorite so far – praying in Bali’s holiest water at Tirta Empul
 

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Morning view from our room

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Where you’ll find us (every second day – 50% culture, 50% tan!)

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Temple style watch guard points

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I’m never leaving

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Miso and mango for breakfast

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Onsite temple

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Practicing my yoga moves (outside of the 7:30 Sunrise Yoga class)

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My poolside Summer Salad and Sasha’s hamburger – is there anything better?

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At the Kris and Barong Performance

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Evil and Pure Spirits are fighting (can’t you tell?)

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Amazing costumes in play at the performance

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Two of the main performers

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Waiting to pray in the holy springs at Tirta Empul

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Lots of people and things to be praying for

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Sasha looks darn good in a sarong (I’m totally biased)

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Trying teas and coffees at Santi Plantation

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The freshly picked coffee beans and spices at Santi

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In front of Mt. Batur

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A gorgeous rainbow outside of Lakeview

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Sasha being brave and trying durian

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Me being less brave and trying mangosteen

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Durians look as unappealing as they smell (and taste!)

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 presetMy only picture at Devdan before getting scolded for taking pictures!

Catching Up on Life

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Last week was beyond busy with work, which left absolutely zero time to take a mental break and blog. So, to catch up…

> Our engagement pictures were recently featured on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book Blog here

> I finally ate at Coppa and Roost (twice) after they’d been on my “must eat at” list for ages and obviously had to add them to my Best of Houston: Restaurants and Coffee list

> We had the best time in Durango: hiking, ziplining, river rafting, and cycling – house above, more pictures soon!

> Celebrated Pierson’s first birthday and Bryan’s 25th! I love birthdays so much.

> Bought this striped chair for our entryway – final pictures of the Manor to come soon!

> Purchased tickets to The Book of Mormon for next weekend… seriously cannot wait

> Found out that we’re going to be Door Openers at Passion 2014 in Houston

> Headed to San Francisco for a day (here now) – fourth time in this beautiful city in 2013 and cannot complain about that

Thanks a Latte

Sasha’s sister, aunt and cousin threw me the best shower this Saturday. I had such a great time, and got so many Crate and Barrel packages I don’t know what to do with myself! I spent yesterday writing all 41 ‘thank you’ cards with my new Shutterfly stationery (best discounts ever). I wanted to do a themed hostess gift, and given my love of all things coffee, I decided to go with ‘Thanks a Latte.’ I had way too much fun putting these together! I cannot wait to come up with the next hostess gift. Images and links are below.hostessgifts

1) Thanks a Latte cards by A Paper Affaire, 2) Wooden gift boxes from Paper Source, 3) Designer Coaster Gold from Calypso St. Barth, 4) Monogrammed Mug from Anthropologie, 5) Celestial Coaster from Anthropologie, 6) Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company

Best of Houston: Restaurants + Coffee

I found this map by Bonnie Dain online, and I love love love it. It highlights most of my favorite places. I went to Kuhl-Linscomb for the first time on Friday, and I’m seriously obsessed. I’ve embarrassingly never eaten at Da Marco!

I must admit it, I love the Bayou City, so I’ve compiled a list of my favorite restaurants + coffee shops by area, including some brief thoughts about each place. Let me know if you have any other good suggestions – always up for a new culinary adventure!

Email me if you want any specific recommendations! Click here for a Google map of all these restaurants, which helps when trying to pick a restaurant nearby.


Downtown

The Grove – love the views and the fact it’s a part of Discovery Green

The Blue Fish – a perfect downtown spot for a night at the theater – good tofu options for veggies!


Midtown

Sparrow (by Top Chef Monica Pope) – try the brussels sprouts (oh, and everything else)

Barnabys (there are a few around the city) – this is a staple in my life – get the falafel patty

Pass & Provisions – one of the more recent “cool” places to go – formal and casual in one building

Brooklyn Athletic Club – plan on having a fun game night at BAC with amazing food (not typical bar food!)


Montrose/West Gray

Bistro Menil – a pretty little restaurant directly across from the Menil Collection with delicious sangria and quinoa + roasted veggie dish

Indika – amazing Indian fusion restaurant – try the Kale Blueberry Salad

Roost – one of my new favorites – very intimate setting with delicious food (and yes, Brussels)

Cafe Brasil – love this eclectic spot – sit in the back courtyard and eat the Goat Cheese Salad

Uchi – amazing sushi, beware – the wait may be LONG, but the Brussels sprouts are worth it

El Tiempo Cantina – amazing Mexican food – pretty busy on the weekends (warning: strong margs!)

Just Dinner – it’s an old house converted into a BYOB dinner-only restaurant

Canopy – the layout of the place can change and it looks like it’s a canopy – how cool is that?

Black Hole Coffee – totally Austin-like coffee shop – Dell-users would feel out-of-place

Backstreet Cafe – a gorgeous two-story house turned into an absolutely delicious restaurant

Dolce Vita – step into Italy at this intimate restaurant – please, please eat the Brussels sprouts

Baba Yega – a “wholesome vegetarian” menu? yes… please

La Griglia – a big, loud Italian restaurant – worth a visit

Underbelly – not the most veggie friendly place in the world, it’s definitely worth a visit (great wine menu!)

Mockingbird Bistro – more of a fancy, quiet restaurant (for dates!) – the food is phenomenal, as are the cocktails


The Heights

Cedar Creek or Onion Creek – the former feels like it’s in Austin – love both!

El Gran Malo – delicious flavor-infused tequila – grungy garage style, but cool

Cottonwood Club – popular hangout place at night – just north of the Heights (pretty new)

Antidote Coffee – it’s super, super hipster and it’s pretty much awesome (as is the sign)

Glass Wall – go there for a date night – it’s small and tasty and you won’t regret it

Rainbow Lodge – two words: Sunday Brunch, and three more: 99 cent mimosas!


Washington Corridor

Benjy’s (also in Rice Village) – where I go for my birthday every year – Brussels sprouts are amazing!

The Counter – make your own yummy burgers (veggie options too)

Catalina Coffee – best coffee in Houston, hands down

Beavers – not the healthiest option in town, but great food and vibe

Coppa – great wine selection, delicious “bites” and fresh salads (try the burrata cheese!)


Rice Village

Benjy’s – see note above

Black Walnut Cafe – has become a chain but doesn’t feel like it – the Black Walnut Salad is great

Tiny’s No. 5 – sister restaurant to Tiny Boxwoods (below)


Upper Kirby/River Oaks

Tiny Boxwoods – you need to go here – it’s perfect – esp. in the spring – best “ladies who lunch” experience

Haven – organic, delicious, pretty – went there when I got engaged and for the Royal Wedding

Pondicheri – Indian fusion at West Ave – love the big doors when you walk in

Tasting Room – also in Galleria and CityCentre – small bites are amazing (baked brie – eeeek!!) and wine selection is great

Giacomo’s – authentic Italian food – don’t leave without trying the involtini di melanzane alla parmigiana

Corner Table – tucked away off Westheimer, this gorgeous, healthy restaurant has one of the best menus around (try the Earth veggie burger!)

Field of Greens – not a fancy restaurant, but darn good vegetarian and vegan food – Quinoa Delight is unreal

Local Foods – I am seriously obsessed with this place (namely the giant old map of River Oaks on the wall) – try the Fall Harvest Salad or Falafel Sandwich as a salad (+ sangria!)


Galleria/Tanglewood

Adair Kitchen – must go there – it’s best during lunch, but busy – get the Black Bean Quinoa Burger

Relish – gorgeous glass building and amazing light, healthy meals

Kiran’s – delicious Indian food (kind of pricey) – great for a romantic meal or special occasion

Philippe – a great place for a private party or romantic dinner – Quartette of Vegetables, all day long

Dish Society – a relative newcomer, this farm-to-table restaurant will win you over with the quinoa stuffed avocado


Memorial/Bellaire

Barnabys – see note above

Brenner’s on the Bayou – a tucked-away garden with great views, this laid-back version of Brenner’s Steakhouse won’t disappoint (perfect date night spot)

Harvest Grille – all organic – lovely

La Vista – BYOB, down the street from Harvest – amazing portobello mushrooms

Jonathan’s The Rub – the “hidden gem of Houston” – also BYOB – total Memorial crowd

Union Kitchen – do yourself a favor and order the baked brie

Island Grill – hummus, falafel and the best juices and smoothies in town (new location at Bunker Hill/I10!)

Maryz – amazingly authentic lebanese food, with hummus so good, you’ll order seconds

Shri Balaji Bhavan – voted best Indian in Houston by Alison Cook – who am I to argue? Try everything

Latin Bites – attention all vegetarians: order the Quinoa Salad… it’s absolutely phenomenal


CityCentre/Town and Country

Cyclone Anaya’s – try the skinny blueberry mojito – it’s Sasha’s favorite

Ruggles Green – one of my top three regular go-to places – I dream about the Texas Goat Cheese Salad

Zoe’s Kitchen – the only “fast food” worthy of your time (you’ll find others across town as well)

And finally – the Parthenon

Our final day in Athens proved just as busy as the others, as we visited the last of the “must sees.” We ate lunch at Thanasis, which was the most Greek restaurant so far, and the meal was absolutely delicious (see pictures below). If only the house wine in the states tasted this good! We entered the Kapnikarea Church in the Monastiraki area, where we paid tribute to the living and the dead in true Orthodox manner. Afterwards, we walked up to the Parthenon, which is truly breathtaking. It was very cold and windy today, so we stopped by Piazza Duomo for coffee (Sasha went Irish, naturally). Then we walked another 2 miles (uphill, oh heavens) to the highest point in Athens – Mt. Lycabettus. We were winded when we got to the top, but it was worth it for the views. We drank tea and coffee at the restaurant, then rode the funicular to the base and wandered through the Kolonaki area on the way back to the hotel. Another amazing day – wine tour in Corinth tomorrow!
DSC_1567Sasha, loving his Greek beer, ready for the most authentic meal yet at Thanasis
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The spicy green peppers proved too hot for my darling (a true Semple “man down”)

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The most beautiful Greek salad everDSC_1585

Amidst renovations of the Parthenon, with his man purseDSC_1578

An amazing view of Athens from the AcropolisDSC_1615

We finally made it to the Parthenon (but almost didn’t for the third time…)DSC_1610

Sasha with Mount Lycabettus in the background – our next challenge – which we conqueredDSC_1609

Greek history everywhere you look – such an amazing cityDSC_1606

A wet and windy day doesn’t damper our traveling spirits 🙂
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A lot bigger than you think – a true Kodak moment
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I loved the Turkish flag pic so much, I had to…
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The entrance to the AcropolisDSC_1646

Deep thoughts atop Mount Lycabettus (we climbed up more than a mile, as we didn’t see the funicular – oh boy)DSC_1673

My wilderness man at the restaurant on top of Mt. LycabettusDSC_1669

City as far as you can see
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St. George Church on top of Mt. Lycabettus (highest point in Athens) – destination wedding?
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Wind like you’ve never felt before

And finally, two iPhone pics:

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5 o’clock somewhere – Irish coffee time