BRAND BALLOT'S TOP 100 MOM BLOGS FOR 2018!!
Super Cool Castles to Stay At Around the World and Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
HEY THERE AND WELCOME TO THE START OF THE WEEKEND!!
I have a pretty exciting day tomorrow up in The Bronx. Your favorite cousin will be attending the Bronx Community College Art & Community Event at the Hall of Fame and Gould Memorial Library. There will be music performances, screenings, student work presentations, poetry readings and more. I'm thrilled that the weather forecast is wonderful so it will be perfect for outdoor events, photos and just a nice day. Will give you the full run down!! In other news... I came across a super cool article in Jetsetter.com featuring 10 European Castle Hotels You Can Actually Sleep In!! As you probably know since I've shared with you on multiple occasions, when me and the kids visited Ireland back in 2012, we stayed at Dromoland Castle and it was super cool. Check out these exquisite castles from all over Europe, if you would like to wake up like a prince or princess 1. Ashford Castle, Ireland One of Ireland’s oldest castles leads the pack of glitzy chateaus-turned-hotels thanks, in part, to last year’s $75 million renovation. Choose from 82 different rooms decked out in antique curiosities, original works of art, custom carpeting, and 400-thread-count bed linens made from Egyptian cotton. check out: Waking up like a Princess on my Birthday at the Ashford Castle! 2. Ellenborough Park, England Once upon a time, this quintessentially British manor in the Cotswolds was the home of notorious adventuress Jane Digby. Dating back to the 15th century, the estate recently got a modern upgrade befitting its aristocratic history. Live like the Lord or Lady of Ellenborough in one of the property’s 61 rooms or suites designed by Nina Campbell, done up with luxurious Hypnos beds and marble bathrooms stocked with Noble Isle Toiletries. 3. Castel Monastero, Italy This sandy-colored monastery-turned-chateau, surrounded by the rolling hills and manicured vineyards of Tuscany, was first built in the 11th century and then later became the country home of the noble Chigi family. The 74 sumptuous rooms and suites decorated in calming earth tones offer a country getaway less than 20 miles from Siena. 4. Château d'Hassonville, Belgium Lose yourself in the beauty of this castle, complete with stately gray stone walls, imposing turrets, and 20 individually decorated rooms. Situated in a park in the Ardennes, the property dates all the way back to 1687. And with outdoor activities like biking, fishing, and jogging on offer, it makes an ideal country retreat.
5. Château de Mirambeau, France
Even in a country renowned for its chateaus, this Renaissance-style palace manages to stand out with 40 unique guest rooms and suites decorated with antique furnishings. Located in the countryside between Bordeaux and Cognac, it’s also an ideal getaway for wine lovers. 6. Häckeberga Castle, Sweden Guests staying at this palace, first built in the 14th century by Holger Ulfstand 20 miles east of Malmö, have Baron Tönnes Wrangel von Brehmer and his wife Olga Lang to thank for its current grandiosity. After inheriting the property in 1872, they demolished the original structure and built this 27-room castle on an island in the middle of a lake. Works by 16 different international artists occupy the walls of the first floor. 7. Hotel Schoenburg, Germany Since its first mention in history somewhere between 911 and 1166, this storybook-perfect castle has loomed large over the Rhine. It’s housed a slew of different residents during its more than 850-year-old life. Most famous of all was Marshall Schönburg, who died at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. It’s now a family-run hotel with 25 tranquil rooms, many with stately four-post beds and unparalleled views of the river. 8. Parador de Oropesa, Spain This is the castle that kickstarted Spain’s famous government-owned network of hotels housed in historic settings. Built in 1402, architectural details like columns, arcades, and expansive courtyards hint at its medieval roots. Today, its 48 rooms (many with tiled floors and exposed beams) host guests visiting from all over the world, with breathtaking views of the Sierra de Gredos mountains. 9. Pousada de Óbidos, Portugal With its many tapestries, ancient chests, and suits of armor, this ornate Manueline castle transports guests back to a medieval world of gallant knights and noble kings and queens. Guests staying in one of the 16 rooms will sleep in absolute peace thanks to the structure's 80-inch thick original walls. 10. Roxburghe Hotel, Scotland On the working estate of an actual Duke (the Duke of Roxburghe, of course), Roxburghe Hotel in the Scottish Borders village of Kelso offers everything for the perfect country weekend. The 22 cozy guest rooms, many of which have balconies overlooking the vast green lawn. (reprinted from Jetsetter.com) This week's Vegan Recipe: With National Ice Cream Cone Day this coming Sunday (September 22nd), I thought it would be fun to feature a vegan ice cream recipe!! This week I’m featuring Coconut Chocolate Chip Healthy Vegan Ice Cream, a recipe from beamingbaker.com What I love most about is that not only is this recipe dairy-free and paleo BUT it is no-churn and made with only 6 ingredients! INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
Off for my 3 mile morning walk!! -Travelin' Elisa xoxo |