Thursday Treasure - Travel Momentos

Y'all should know by now that I love thrifting and am always eager to share my latest acquisitions with you. I could barely hold out until today to reveal this fabulous find. I'm telling you, I hit the JACKPOT!!

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I enjoyed a great trip to London, Paris and Versailles in January and have been plotting my next trip since the moment vacation ended. I truly enjoyed my trip and as always, I purchased items that embodied the spirit of the city/cities visited. Little did I know that I'd travel to London and back, only to find the BEST souvenir known to man (or woman) right here in my own backyard! I'm telling you, you're going to pass out when you see this! Then, you're going to pass out AGAIN when you find out how little I spent.

Okay, I've gushed enough about my latest find, so here is my perfect reflection of the London portion of my trip. I couldn't have planned a better purchase!!

Aren't these the most adorably perfect cuff links EVER?!?!? I can't believe they were waiting for me at my local Goodwill store. Now the best part of this great find is, they were less than $2!! Can you understand why I was so over-the-moon excited to share my Thursday Treasure with you?

What steal of a deal have you discovered lately and what are your favorite thrifting spots? Maybe I should plan a TSE Goes Thrifting Tour. Stay tuned, the tour may be coming to a city near you.

Sheila Denise

Thursday Treasure - Busaba Eathai

This week's treasure is Busaba Eathi, a small restaurant with great food and even greater service, that I visited during my January vacation to London and Versailles. Boy BFF, Chuck and I enjoyed our meal so much that we embarked on our own version of The Amazing Race to have it a second time. We left London and spent a couple of days in Versailles, but during our trip back to London, we decided that we needed a repeat performance. We got back to London at 9:40 PM, knowing the last order would be taken at 10:30, so picture two complete lunatics hopping on the tube, rushing to the hotel, dropping off bags, and SPRINTING in a mad race against the clock. I'm pleased to announce that we arrived at Busaba Eathai with EIGHT minutes to spare!! Running through the streets of London to one last meal, makes Busaba Eathai forever a TSE Treasure.

Here's a little snapshot of our first meal. Please pardon the photo quality, they were shot with my Blackberry.

Thai Calamari

Pad Thai

Pandan Chicken

Brown Rice

Chinese Broccoli

All washed down with a few of these

Sadly, there are no photos of that last meal, but believe me there were TONS of empty plates and bowls on our table. What a girl won't do for a great meal!! What are some of your restaurant treasures?

Sheila Denise

The Traveling Guest Blogger Chuck - Now That's Paramount!

With spectacular views of the London skyline, the Thames River and London Bridge, Paramount at Centre Point is just that...Paramount.

Start your day out right with the Yoghurt Parfait and a bowl of fresh fruit. Who said Americans don't eat healthy?? LOL!! If yoghurt is not your thing, try the traditional English Breakfast and marvel at one of the best views of Central London.

Crunchy Granola with Natural Yoghurt & Fruit Salad:

Can't make it for breakfast?? Don't worry. Paramount is the evening/night spot for the fashionable and trendy Londoners. Paramount at Centre Point is located at 101-103 New Oxford Street, across from the Tottenham Court tube station. As you exit the station, look for the tallest skyscraper on the corner. Enjoy!!

Chuck, thank you so much for this wonderful review of Paramount. I'm looking forward to dining there this winter. For my readers, what are some of your favorite dining spots home or away from home?

Sheila Denise

The Traveling Guest Blogger Chuck - Bar Boulud London

Hopefully, y'all remember my little teaser a few weeks back when I mentioned that my boy-bestie, Chuck was traveling to London and Prague (and probably a few spots he didn't want my nosey self to tell everybody). Well, Chuckster is back and I must say, he did a great job "working " for me while enjoying his vacation.

I've decided to spread out Chuck's dining escapades over a few days to allow each restaurant to have their very own shining moment on my humble little blog. I can't thank him enough for taking on my interests and agreeing to blog for me. Now is that a TRUE FRIEND, or what?!? Might I also add that he ALWAYS returns bearing gifts?!?! I'm a lucky girl!!!

First up is Chuck's dining experience at Bar Boulud.

~Situated at the foot of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on Knightsbridge, Bar Boulud is truly a gem. With it's three course Prix Fixe Lunch Menu at a modest 20 pounds, Bar Boulud is the place for the power leisure lunch. Bar Boulud, at The Mandarin Oriental is just down the block from the world famous Harrod's. After shopping at Harrod's, take a three minute walk on Knightsbridge (towards Piccadilly Circus) and experience Bar Boulud.

If you are dining alone, don't worry, Bar Boulud will supply you with the magazine or global newspaper of your choice. Now how's that for service! Chef/Owner Daniel Boulud has Bar Boulud restaurants in London, New York, Miami, Palm Beach, Vancouver, and Beijing.~

Salade du Marche

Volaille Lail PrintanierKetel One Dirty Martini - extra olives

Chuck didn't name the dessert and I have a sneaky suspicion that he might have been DEEP into Dirty Martini number two when dessert rolled around, so I'll simply call this a decadent looking chocolate torte with ice cream dessert (hey, I'm southern, gimme a break). ;-)
Website: http://www.danielnyc.com/barbouludLondon.html
If London isn't in your travel plans (or backyard), you may want to check out the other Bar Boulud locations Chuck mentioned.

Sheila Denise

Update (8/16): The dessert's "proper" name is: Tarte au Chocolat with Mocha Ganache & Caramel Ice Cream. Isn't that EXACTLY what I said?? LOL

Upcoming Guest Blogger - Dining in London & Prague

I'm so happy to announce that in a few weeks, you'll be hearing from my BBFF (boy best friend forever) Chuck is currently on holiday and has agreed to photograph his dining experiences while away. Hopefully, this information will be helpful when/if you find yourself in the area.

Here's a sneak peek:

LONDON:
Paramount

Bar Boulud @ Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

PRAGUE
Bellevue

I can't wait for Chuck to come back and share his experiences. Heck, I should have said yes when he asked me to join him on this trip. *sigh*

Sheila Denise