Netherlands: Amsterdam

This summer my brother and his two college roommates got to come travel around Europe together. Talk about a perfect graduation celebration, right? So I got to join them for a few legs of the journey. They started and ended in Paris, all four of us cozied right up in my little mini apartment. Their trip went something like - Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Munich, Prague, and back to Paris. Not bad.

I got to meet up with them in Amsterdam and it was such a great time. When Brandon and I were backpacking in the summer of 2008 we tried so hard to make our way to this city but we simply didn't have time for it. Not that I'm complaining, that trip was incredible. So I was very excited to finally explore.

Amsterdam is one beautiful place. It is so clean! Its wide main streets, extremely friendly people and beautiful canals were enough for me to want to stay forever. We explored the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum - which was my favorite. We had some delicious Dutch pancakes at a place simply named: Pancakes! and of course we had our fair share of french fries. Healthy, I know.

We visited the famous Red Light District which is not nearly as crazy as I was expecting but still, seeing the girls working in the windows and doors was shocking and for me, sad. 

I could spend some more time hanging out along those canals. 

Flowers of Giverny, France

I was not lying when I said I needed to have a whole separate post for all my flower photos. It is slightly out of control. So here it is!

Hopefully you will feel like you've been there after all of these photos. It really is a beautiful place if you ever have the chance to visit.

As for me, I am having a wonderful weekend here with one of my greatest friends and her huz. Life is so much better with the people you love! They head to Barcelona tomorrow and I'll be so sad to see her leave but I know they will have a blast in Spain!

Paris: best day trip

If you are in Paris (especially in spring or summer time) then I highly recommend heading out of town and spending the day in Giverny. I've been there twice now and I loved it so much both times. I've also been to Versailles which is beautiful and magnificent but I like Giverny just a little bit more. I think it is more unique.

My mom saw my photos from when Stephanie and I went to Giverny and she wanted to go so we spent one of her days there and it was still just as beautiful as it was in springtime. We took the train and then rode bikes into town. Halfway through our visit to the Monet house and gardens I discovered the beloved "flower" setting on my mom's fancy camera. It was over. I went to town taking pictures of flowers. Literally, its embarrassing. I have more photos of flowers than of our entire trip I think.

So, now that its out in the open I am going to post the gallery of floral photos in another post because its just too much for one.

Tomorrow my friend Megan and her hubbs get into Paris and I am so happy! I haven't seen her since January! Cross your fingers for us that this miserable rain takes it easy on us.

What have you all been up to lately? Are you ready for fall?
Can someone please send me a pumpkin spice latte? Many thanks :)