We stayed at Seventy Barcelona, in the neighborhood Eixample – and we really enjoyed our stay. The hotel also includes a spa where you can unwind after a day exploring the city.
Gaudí's work can be found all over the city and adds a very unique feel. La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi's most famous and arguably most striking work – construction started in 1882 and continues today, funded by ticket costs. It is difficult to imagine that construction on this building started over a hundred years ago, as the design still feels very contemporary today, even futuristic. Visit on a sunny day (not in short supply in Barcelona), and marvel at the stunning ambience of color of light created by the beautiful stained glass windows.
Stroll along Avenida Diagonal, a large avenue lined with shops and restaurants, and tour Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. These two buildings, originally intended as residential homes on the fashionable Avenue Diagonal in the late 19th century, are still striking today. Both offer tours with audio guides that go into depth about the history of each building and the specificities of the design. We especially enjoyed Casa Batllo and learning about all of Gaudi's inventive ideas to allow air and light to come into the building.
We also enjoyed our tour of Casa Vicens, which is located to the north of the Diagonal. One of Gaudi's earliest residential works, you can really see the early manifestation of his later ideas – the strong nature theme, the use of repetition.
A wide tree-lined pedestrian street famed for street performers (and pickpockets!), La Rambla is worth strolling through for its little market stalls and people-watching. We walked down the street from Plaça Catalunya down a stretch of La Rambla, before wandering down to the Gothic Quarter.
The city's oldest barrio, or neighborhood, the Gothic Quarter is a quaint, maze-like neighborhood full of little alleyways and shops. Unfortunately this area was very quiet when we were there (February 2022), but in normal times the neighborhood should be lovely to wander.
On the way up the hill, stop by the former Olympic swimming pool, which now has a bar with a view over the city. We took the cable car up the hill (Montjuic Teleferic) - and from the Montjuic Castle, you can enjoy both a view of the ocean as well as the city. Stay until the evening to view the dancing fountains.
Parc Güell, in many ways, combines some of the best parts of Barcelona – striking and surreal architecture, and a beautiful view. On a sunny afternoon, the park is busy with tourists, but the atmosphere and view are worth visiting.
Of course, a visit to Barcelona is not complete without spending some time at the beach! To see a bit more of the city, walk from the Parc de la Ciutadella down to Barceloneta beach, and spend the afternoon relaxing by the beach and exploring the seaside neighborhood.
For those that love architecture, the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe is a must visit – though the current building is a reconstruction of the original, the design is considered an important example of modernist architecture and has inspired many similar works.
This region of the world is known for its cuisine. Here are a few places we discovered and would recommend:
Have a drink or a small bite to eat at El Nacional. We first stumbled across this space at night, when the entrance was lit with strings of overhead lights. This beautiful, expansive space features various restaurants and bars offering cuisine from all around the Iberian Peninsula. We did a little research and discovered that the building used to be a late 1800s textile factory, which was later turned into theater.
La Pepita is a tiny, classic tapas bar tucked into the corner of a building opposite Seventy Barcelona with delicious tapas and drinks. Reserve on weekends!
Besta is a Galician seafood restaurant sourcing organic and high quality ingredients. Delicious and not too expensive for the quality.
]]>
Mexico City is also Jorge’s hometown, so this local guide is collated from Jorge’s friends & family (we can’t take all the credit!), as well as from our own experiences in our past few trips.
Since Mexico City is so big, we've split this post into different neighborhoods. It’s helpful to plan your days around a particular area, especially as traffic can be quite bad during rush hour.
For getting around, we recommend Uber as it is affordable and tends to be safer than other forms of transportation.
Polanco is an affluent neighborhood where you will find a lot of nice shops, European-style cafes and bistros, high-end stores and galleries, and many foreign embassies. Many of these businesses are in remodeled colonial mansions from over a century ago and have a quintessentially Mexican feel. We recommend staying here for first-time visitors as it is close to all the major sights.
The palace of the short-lived Hapsburg king Maximilian sits on top of a hill in Chapultepec Park, an expansive park many times larger than New York's Central Park. The castle is North American's only castle and features beautiful murals and a great view of the city. There's also a lovely landscaped courtyard.
The city's most famous museum, the anthropology museum, is enormous and full of artifacts from the Aztec empire. The museum has a stunning inner courtyard. Since it would take days to see everything, it's recommended to visit just a few sections to get a feel for all the indigenous sculptures they have. Make sure to check out the Aztec calendar!
They also have special performances right outside of the museum like the Voladores de Papantla.
This is a small modern museum next to the anthropology museum – it's a great place to grab a quick lunch as well.
Polanco is full of shops, cafes, and markets, and you'll see many locals sitting outside enjoying a long brunch. Mexico City's most well-known fine dining experience is at Pujol (featured in the Netflix show Chef's Table), though many people say that Quintonil, its sister restaurant, is even better. Both offer an upscale take on traditional Mexican cuisine. You could also try Eno, another restaurant by the same chef.
For traditional Mexican food, try Dulce Patria, Villa Maria, or Lampuga for seafood. For dessert, Neveria Roxy is an authentic Mexican ice cream and sorbet shop.
Catamundi is a very nice breakfast place in the area as well.
For non-Mexican fare, we recommend Nonsolo Polanco, an Italian restaurant, or El Japonez, located in an old colonial restaurant and shared with a center for German design, and Nick-san for Japanese.
There is a unique cafe/bookshop called El Pendulo in this neighborhood that is well worth visiting.
Next to Polanco, this is a newly developed area with many high rise offices and shopping areas.
A new museum designed by Fernando Romeo, the son-in-law of Carlos Slim, one-time richest man in the world. The design is a bit contentious to locals and architects alike, but the museum is definitely worth a visit and hosts a wide range of sculptures and antiquities from all over the world.
A smaller museum next to the Soumaya mostly featuring contemporary art.
An area that began a rapid gentrification process about twenty years ago when artists and creatives moved into a run-down central neighborhood in the city. Now home to wealthy artists and international expats, the area is pedestrian-friendly and hosts a wide array of restaurants, shops, and neighborhood parks. Roma, now more well-known because of Alfonso Cuaron's eponymous movie, is what Condesa used to be a few years ago. It is more affordable than Condesa but contains many of the popular shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Ojo de Agua features healthy breakfast food and smoothies. This is on Amsterdam St which used to be a horse racing track – the street forms a loop.
Duo is a great spot for a Mexican breakfast – it is run by Swiss baker and a chef from Oaxaca.
More casual for coffee and brunch: Panaderia (of Rosetta) for coffee and bread and breakfast and Eno (Enrique Olvera´s cafeteria which is good for breakfast)
The Centro underwent drastic renovations and improvements under the patronage of billionaire Carlos Slim. The bustling area hosts a variety of museums and historic buildings where the clash of Spanish and indigenous cultures can still be felt. The Centro is also the seat of the Mexican government and the location of the heart of the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. Historic Spanish palaces have been remodeled and converted into apartments, shops, restaurants, and hotels.
The main square of the city center, around which many government buildings are located. The site has been in use since Aztec times – for over seven hundred years, it has been a gathering place for religious and political ceremonies. The square sits next to the Templo Mayor.
A large cathedral at the edge of the Zocalo, originally built in the ruins of one of the Aztec temples, that has played a significant role in many of Mexico's important historical events.
Known to the Aztecs as the center of the universe, (you can really appreciate the history of Mexico City and see the ruins of the ancient Aztec capital and see how the Spanish built their city right over it and using even the same stones)
Housed in a beautiful historic building, the Palace of Fine Arts is a performing and cultural arts center featuring many of Mexico's finest performances and exhibitions. You can enter to tour the building and any ongoing exhibitions.
A beautiful and eclectic post office is located in this area – the post office was built in 1907 and was restored to its original design in the 1990s.
Sanborns Casa de los Azulejos is a beautiful old 18th century palace now renovated as a restaurant and department store. Stop by for an affordable Mexican breakfast before exploring the rest of the Centro.
Al-Andalus is a great Lebanese eatery in the area housed in a former colonial mansion.
El Cardenal and Azul Historico both serve classic and upscale Mexican cuisine. Limosneros serves classic Mexican fare in a rustic, elegant setting.
Coyoacan is a quaint, older neighborhood in the south of Mexico City popular amongst defeños (locals from D.F., pronounced de-efe in Spanish) as an escape from the city. Lined with cobblestone streets and old colonial homes, Coyoacan is now popular with tourists for its traditional plazas, markets, and as the home of Frida Kahlo and many other well-known Mexican artists.
Also known as the Blue House – for its bright cobalt blue painted walls – the museum is the former home of Frida Kahlo and where she lived for a number of years with her partner Diego Rivera. Make sure to book ahead as the museum is very popular and there can be long queues for entry. Frida and Diego's studio is also in this area.
Very close to Museo Frida Kahlo, this is a museum of Trotsky's house in exile in Mexico City. Trotsky came to live to Mexico City in exile (due to the intervention of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera) and was eventually assassinated in this house.
Mercado de Comida Coyoacan is an authentic Mexican market featuring everything from street food to traditional Mexico arts and crafts. You will likely see and taste all kinds of fruits you didn’t even know existed – the merchants will gladly let you try anything.
Vivero Coyoacan is a park and tree nursery in the area popular with locals. It sometimes hosts plant markets and exhibitions as well.
The capital of the Aztec Empire, the ancient ruins of Tenochtitlan should not be missed. Tenochtitlan was the largest city in the Americas prior to Spanish conquest, and one of the largest cities in the world at the time.
There are many buses or tours that can take you to Tenochtitlan (about an hour away from the city) from Condesa or from the center.
The basilica is a massive Catholic church where hundreds of thousands of pilgrims go every year to see the cloak of Our Lady of Guadalupe; the architecture of the basilica is very striking.
The last vestige of the former lake upon which Mexico City was built, Xochimilco is best known for its canals and colorful artificial islands, called chinampas, which were built in the pre-colonial period. Now a World Heritage Site, Xochimilco is very popular with tourists – you can ride one of the whimsical boats and float down the canal for a few hours.
General “street” and cheap food:
El Borrego Viudo, El Fogoncito, and El Farolito are Mexican taco places where you can get the typical Mexican “tacos al pastor”.
For Asian-Mexican fusion: Tori Tori, El Japonez, Mog Mog
Architecture:
Luis Barragan House & Studio is the house of Mexico’s most renowned architect and an early winner of the Pritzer Prize.
]]>
Now, there isn't really a right or wrong way to hang a gallery wall - after all, your wall art should be a beautiful and fun way to express your style!
Below are five gallery wall types and the design principles that you can use to plan and achieve each style.
Minimalist gallery walls are clean, elegant, and can add a sense of peace and calm to any space. They draw attention to a single accent piece or a complementary pair of posters.
Tips for Creating The Minimalist Layout
Easy and timeless, the grid gallery wall is a perfect standalone centerpiece for any room. A classic grid layout is the ideal layout to show of a series of prints or photographs of the same type.
Tips for the classic grid gallery wall
Tips for the grid variations (centerpiece & mondrian)
The axis gallery wall styles start to break away from a strict grid. However, you can intentionally align the prints to create cleaner lines and to highlight a specific feature of your room.
Since this style isn't symmetrical, it's more dynamic and can create a sense of movement around the room.
Les Viennoiseries and Les Pâtisseries Art 2-Print Set
Tips for the Axis Gallery Wall
The eclectic gallery wall is a beautiful and functional way to display many different keepsakes, photos, and prints. With this salon style display, you can play with an endless combination of color palettes, frames, and themes.
Tips for Creating the Eclectic Gallery Wall
For more stunning gallery wall ideas, check out our Pinterest board featuring all kinds of gallery walls in different types of interiors!
]]>
Gallery walls are a beautiful way to liven up a nursery or kids’ room – plus, they are a great way to display meaningful photos and mementos from a baby’s first few years.
Ever since our watercolor world map prints launched, we've been thrilled to receive so many messages (and lovely photos) of our prints in your beautiful nurseries and kids' rooms!
We've been asked a few times about gallery sets and different ways to incorporate more than one print into a nursery design, so we've put together this visual guide and some tips in today's blog post.
There are soooo many options when it comes to nursery decor, but we think most spaces look best with a cohesive vibe, whether it's fun and eclectic, light and peaceful, or rustic and bohemian. You could also organize the room around a central theme, like woodland animals, the jungle, travel, or even around a favorite children's book or movie.
Some things to keep in mind:
We think that interior design should be about creating a space you love, and nurseries are no exception!
Tips for creating a cohesive look:
We wrote a bit about different gallery wall layouts back in this post - and we're exploring each type of layout in-depth below :)
Minimal & Classic
For a balanced and elegant feel, these symmetrical and simple layouts are perfect. It can be easy for nurseries and playrooms to start feeling cluttered, so we love the idea of a simple gallery wall.
Top left: Illustrated State Maps // Top right: Earth & Moon Art Print Set // Bottom left: Solar System & Moons Art Print Set // Bottom right: Hawaii-themed nursery by Project Nursery
The Grid
Grids create the same symmetrical and calm feel, but are able to accommodate many more prints and photos.
Top left: Paper Stories Illustrated Landmarks // Top right: Animal themed grid gallery wall by bishopandholland // Bottom left: Nursery decor from stylemepretty // Bottom right: Gold frame gallery set by tinymightyframes
Abstract Grid
These layouts play with the rigidity of the classic grid - creating more hierarchy and movement. We love that these layouts usually draw the eye to one larger focal point.
Top left: Illustrated State Maps & Landmarks // Top right: Illustrated Watercolor World Map & Hot Air Balloons // Bottom left: Gallery Wall by Artifact Uprising // Bottom right: Animal World Map and Hot Air Balloons
Internal Axis
Though these layouts break out of a rigid grid, they still have some alignment - either along one edge, or internally. The alignment helps create a feeling of cohesion. We love that this layout feels freer and more dynamic, allowing for more prints to be added in the future!
Top Image: Texas Illustrated State Map, Pink Minimal World Map // Bottom left: West Elm Gold Frame Gallery Wall // Bottom right: Crate & Barrel Gallery Wall
Eclectic
Dynamic and playful, this type of layout creates tons of visual movement around room, and would be a lovely way to incorporate lots of mismatching items and prints.
Top left: Paper Stories Illustrated Landmarks // Top right: Gallery wall by honestlywtf // Bottom left: Kids' room from @five_make_a_home // Bottom right: Customer gallery wall featuring illustrated state map
Tips for Hanging:
If you would like to see some more inspiration on different styles and types of gallery walls, make sure to check out our Pinterest board here!
]]>
Wall art is a great way to personalize a space. We found so many lovely and personal travel gifts created by small businesses - our top picks are below!
1. Watercolor Illustrated World Map | StudioPaperStories | $24+
Our illustrated world map celebrates the many wonders of our world with dozens of drawings of animals, plants, and landmarks. It is also customizable to your family and travels - titles and text can be changed, and we can even add personal landmarks or images by request!
2. World Map Sign Personal Gift | MadebyMrsJones | $39
3. Train Travel Art Print | CocoandJamesHome | $8+
Travel journalling is relatively new to us, but we love the idea of documenting our travels in a tangible way - so much of our lives seem to only exist digitally these days! All of these journals are beautifully designed and can be personalized for your specific adventures :)
4. US Travel Scratch Off Map Travel Journal | KristinDouglasART | $75
5. Personalized Velvet Notebook | ThreeTwo1 | $19.49+
6. Personalized Travel Journal | ReStationery | $32.33
These travel accessories are beautiful, easy to carry, and a reminder to keep exploring.
7. Rose Gold Compass Necklace | Rudiana | $20+
8. Custom silver or gold bracelet | ZennedOut | $42+
9. Passport Cover Gemstone | CalifornianMade | $42.99
Top off any travel-related gift with these fun and easy downloadable designs - use them for travel journalling, party decor, or as part of a holiday gift!
10. DIY Digital Boarding Pass | LetterBoxInk | $4.50
11. Digital Ticket Escort Cards | LetterBoxInk | $50 for the set
12. US Embroidered Map Hoop | WanderingThreadsArt | $6
]]>
We have had several requests throughout the year for larger wallpaper-sized art prints, so we have been working with our printer to bring you larger scale designs - and we're so excited to announce that we are now offering some of our designs as wall decals!
Our wall decals are easy to apply and come in larger sizes than our regular art prints, so they can be used as wall murals or as a feature wall in any room.
Wall decals are an easy alternative to prints (no frames required!) and can completely transform and define a space. They can also be easily replaced over the years!
We especially love the idea of incorporating wall decals into nurseries and kids' rooms, as they are easier to apply than wallpaper and less permanent than a painting or mural.
Scroll down to see our new collection below!
Let us know what other designs you would like to see in wall decal form!
]]>
A classic expression found in many languages across the world, this phrase describes that inexplicable feeling of falling in love in a mere instant. In French, the phrase translates as ‘coup de foudre’, or being struck by lightning.
A rather poetic and succinct way to describe the way time passes when you miss someone – when even a single day can feel like three years.
This describes the feeling of needing nothing but love and fresh water to live, or in other words – to be so much in love that you care little about anything else.
This cheeky Spanish expression that reminds us that even if you are too in love to care what others think, others may still gossip.
Another reminder that love is at its most euphoric in its beginning stages.
This common French expression refers to someone that does not show up for a meeting or date and is generally similar to the English expression ‘to stand someone up’.
This Chinese idiom describes the firm resolution to make a clean break or to sever a relationship completely.
Hope you enjoyed our list! Do any of these particularly resonate with you? Do you have a favorite expression about love or Valentine's Day? Let us know in the comments!
]]>The holiday season is quickly approaching (or rather, it's been here since the end of October), so we've rounded up 10 of our favorite travel-related gift ideas on Etsy.
As small business owners ourselves, we always encourage supporting other makers and love finding unique and well-crafted items on Etsy and other handmade shops. Below, here are 10 of our favorite finds this season:
1. Fox and Mermaid Threads | Vegan Camera Strap | $68 | Perfect for the photographer or travel blogger in your life, this colorful embroidered camera strap is functional, beautiful, and makes a statement wherever it goes.
2. Modvin | Illustrated Watercolor Map Art | $29+ | Maps are always an ideal gift - they can remind us of where we're from, where we've been, or where we're going. Custom maps would make a lovely and sentimental gift for a wedding anniversary or baby shower.
3. Sparrow & Wolf Shop | Adventure Keyring | $11 | Etsy is full of beautiful and quirky enamel pins, and we think they'd make for lovely stocking stuffers.
4. JammyStore | Minimalist Phone Case | $15 | Another great stocking stuffer, this black minimalist phone case is simple, elegant, and functional.
5. Pierron + Co. | Infinity Scarf with Pocket | $38 | Another pretty, functional accessory specifically made for travelling, this scarf includes a secret pocket to store spare change, a passport, or anything else you might need to keep close at hand.
6. Wayfaren | Keepsake Box | $70 | This keepsakes box is the perfect way to contain and display tickets, photos, and travel souvenirs. These come with personalized engraving as well!
7. Archer & Olive | Travel Bullet Journal | $30 | Travel can feel like a whirlwind, so one of our favorite ways to make travel more meaningful is to keep a travel journal. Fill it with ticket stubs, polaroids, or travel sketches, and you'll create something you can enjoy for years to come.
8. Noemiah | Silk Swimmers Scarf | $62 | We discovered this lovely shop recently and love the unique patterns on all the clothing & accessories. This beautiful and lightweight silk scarf would be especially versatile for travel.
9. LisaAngelLtd | Personalized Travel Jewelry Box | $37 | Jewelry - especially necklaces - can be a mess to sort through when travelling, so we love this idea of a personalized jewelry box for vacations.
10. Cocolla Art | Gold Compass Necklace | $28 | For travel lovers who already have all the functional necessities, this pretty gold necklace could be a fun addition to their travel accessories - plus, it would be fun (think of the puns!) to write the card :)
Below, we share some nursery decor inspiration, as well as our favorite ideas for creating the Nordic nursery of your dreams.
A clean, white space is a must for the Scandinavian nursery. A blank canvas creates the perfect background for mixing textures and patterns.
Tips:
We also love the ease of pairing black and white with pastel accents and decor, such as the colorful hexagonal storage units and the blue Animal World Map shown above.
This nursery has such a calm, cool, cozy vibe with the wooden rocking horse and tent! The added black and white patterns creates a gender-neutral space that still looks clean, modern, and goes with literally any accent color.
Tips:
Graphic patterns and hatches adds a playful and stimulating quality to your nursery. Be creative - you can introduce patterns through a wide variety of means: furniture, wallpaper, art prints, rugs, wall paint, etc.
Tip:
Another great way to introduce patterns into your nursery is by emphasizing accessories of the room such as pillows, prints - such as our black and white animal world map, and rugs.
The nursery above mixes a variety of star, stripe, and herringbone patterns. The grey watercolor map softens the feel of the room, and the wicker baskets help break the strict monochromatic look.
A completely black and white room can look chic and fresh, but can sometimes feel almost too modern, especially for a nursery. Adding a few bold colors (virtually any color goes well with black and white), or a wide palette of soft colors like pastels can make this look feel much more cozy and fun.
Tips:
One of our favorite ways of brightening up a room is through the use of art prints (we might be a bit biased, of course). The illustrated state maps above tie in to the pink and blue pastel color theme without overwhelming all the other pastel elements in the room, plus they're a fun way to teach your child about the different places and animals of the world! As a bonus, prints are easy to change every once in a while, especially as your child grows older.
A beautiful pendant fixture can be a great way to make your nursery more magical. Choose a light pendant that can illuminate the space brightly but also make a statement in the room.
Tips:
A key element is to embrace the clean and simple lines and forms of modern design.
Tips:
It is hard to not accumulate dozens of toys and accessories for your child but a clean, minimalist space will do wonders to the room.
Tips:
This space has been furnished with small pieces of furniture, and a little playroom over the bed. We especially love the swings in this simple and incredibly inviting children's room.
Tips:
One of the hallmarks of Scandinavian design is its focus on functionality. When it comes to furniture, functionality translates into clean and simple designs that can will be versatile for years to come.
Tips:
That's it! We love the Scandinavian aesthetic, whether in a modern nursery or a minimalist living room, and we hope these tips inspire you to incorporate a little bit of pared-back, Nordic design into your own home.
]]>On our trip to Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands last year, we spent quite a lot of time hunting for local coffee shops - both the traditional and 'third wave' variety - and trying out different coffee drinks.
After we returned, we were inspired to put together a collection of as many different coffee drinks and recipes - from all around the world - as we could find.
Coffee is thought to have originated in Ethiopia, though its origins are disputed. Over its centuries-long history, cultures and countries around the world have developed countless coffee recipes and rituals.
WIthout further ado, here are fifty ways to drink coffee from around the world!
Flat White - A popular Australian drink from the mid-1980s named for the thin layer of white foam at the top of the drink. Made by pouring steamed milk with microfoam into an espresso.
The Viennese coffee house is well-known for playing an important part in shaping Viennese culture. Guests can sit for hours to read newspapers and journals, talk, write, play cards, and discuss anything from world events to philosophy. “Viennese Coffee House Culture” is even listed as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO, and is described as a place where ‘time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.’
Kleiner Mokka - A single espresso. German for small mocha.
Grober Mokka – A double espresso. German for large mocha.
Kleiner Brauner - A single espresso served with a small cup of milk or cream to add at your pleasure. German for small brown.
Grober Brauner - A double espresso served with a small cup of milk or cream to add at your pleasure. German for large brown.
Milchkaffee - A strong, double espresso topped off up to the rim of the cup with hot milk and sometimes milk froth. In Austria, a milchkaffee is often called a melange and is made from a mokka or a kleiner brauner and milk. German for milk coffee.
Franziskaner - The Franiskaner is a small Milchkaffee with a lump of whipped cream thrown in. In Italy this is known as Espresso con Panna, or Espresso with Cream.
Überstürtzer Neumann – In this drink whipped cream is put in an empty coffee cup and a double espresso is poured over, hence the upside-down, ubersturtzer in German.
Obermeier - A double portion of coffee in which a very cold, liquid cream is poured into the coffee over the back of a coffee spoon. The Obermayer was named after a member of the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert Obermeier, who wanted to drink coffee during intermissions of performances and needed the coffee to be cool enough to drink rapidly during the short break.
Wiener Eiskaffee – A double espresso poured over a bit of milk and a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream. It is topped with some freshly whipped cream and often decorated with coffee beans.
Kaisermelange - The Kaisermelange, or Emperor’s Mix, consists of strong black coffee, an egg yolk and honey. The egg yolk is mixed with honey and the coffee is added gently to the mix while stirring. In Vienna, a shot of brandy or cognac is also added to the mix.
Fiaker – Named after Viennese horse-drawn carriages, this drink is comprised of strong, black coffee served in a glass with a shot of rum and whipped cream on top.
Biedermeier Kaffee – Named after the Biedermeier period, this drink mixes a double shot of espresso with a shot of apricot liqueur, topped with a dollup of whipped cream.
Maria Theresa - A double portion of coffee, mixed with a shots of orange liqueur and brandy, and topped with cream. This drink was named after the Hapsburg ruler.
Café Cubano - An espresso shot which is sweetened with demerara sugar which has been whipped with the first and strongest drops of espresso.
Café au Lait – Drip-brewed coffee with hot steamed milk added.
Café Crème – Dark coffee with heavy cream added.
Café Serré – A short shot of espresso coffee made with the normal amount of ground coffee but extracted with about half the amount of water in the same amount of time by using a finer grind.
Café Noisette – Espresso with a small amount of milk added. Translates as "hazelnut coffee" in reference to the dark color of espresso.
Café Brûlot – Alcoholic coffee beverage made from igniting a mixture of brandy, orange liqueur, sugar, cloves, and cinnamon and then gently stirring in dark coffee.
Irish Coffee – The origin of Irish coffee is disputed, but a leading theory is that it was invented by Joseph Sheridan, the head chef at a restaurant in the Foynes Airbase Flying boat terminal building in the early 1940s. The story says that after a group of American passengers disembarked after a several-hour failed Atlantic crossing due to inclement weather on a Pan Am Clipper flying boat, chef Sheridan added whiskey to the coffee to warm the passengers. When the passengers asked if they were going to be served Brazilian coffee, Sheridan told them it was ‘Irish coffee' :)
Italy has an incredible coffee culture, and is arguably the drink’s worldwide spiritual home. Introduced in the 1500s, coffee is deeply embedded into Italians’ everyday routine.
Ristretto – A short shot of espresso coffee made with the normal amount of ground coffee but extracted with about half the amount of water in the same amount of time by using a finer grind.
Espresso – The default coffee and base for most drinks. When in Italy a caffè is a shot of espresso. Espresso coffee is brewed by expressing or forcing out a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans.
Espresso Romano – An Espresso Romano is a short or long shot of espresso served with a small piece of lemon rind for a unique hit of flavor. Some people say this coffee comes from baristas using lemon wedges to clean their espresso machines during times of water shortages.
Doppio – A double espresso. Normally an espresso is 30 ml, a Doppio is 60 ml.
Corretto – Literally translates as “corrected coffee,” this drink features espresso with a splash of alcohol, such as grappa or sambuca.
Espresso con Panna – Italian for "espresso with cream." A shot of espresso topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
Affogato – A scoop of vanilla gelato covered with a shot of espresso and served immediately
Americano – The Italian interpretation of drip-coffee from the United States: espresso diluted with plenty of hot water.
Lungo – This ‘long’ coffee is made from espresso with a splash of hot water - the overall drink is weaker than an espresso but stronger than the Americano.
Cappuccino – A beverage made from espresso, hot milk, and frothed milk. To make one, add equal parts of espresso, hot steamed milk, and velvety milk froth.
Bicerin – A luxurious coffee-and-chocolate drink topped with frothy cream. This drink originated in a cafe in Turin where the original recipe is a closely guarded secret.
Shakerato – The name comes from the English word ‘to shake'. This drink is prepared by shaking together a shot of espresso with ice cubes and some amaretto or syrup in a cocktail shaker until a frothy consistency has been obtained. It is usually served in a martini glass.
Latte Macchiato – Steamed or foamed milk 'marked' with a splash of espresso, and topped with light foam.
Café de Olla – A special spiced coffee from Mexico. Prepared on a saucepan, the coffee is brewed in a mixture of water, cinnamon, and piloncillo (unrefined whole cane sugar).
Bica – A Portuguese espresso. The word bica is Portuguese for spout.
Garoto – Named after the Portuguese word for child, or little boy, this drink is approximately half coffee and half milk, and was given to children to introduce them to the flavor of coffee.
Carioca – Café Carioca can either be a weak, watered-down espresso, or an elaborate drink containing rum, Grand Marnier, sea-buckthorn syrup, lemon juice, coffee powder, and whipped cream. The former is most commonly found in Portugal, whereas the latter is mostly found in Brazil.
Café Cortado – An espresso mixed with a roughly equal amount of warm milk to reduce the acidity.
Carajillo – The carajillo combines coffee with brandy, whisky, or anisette. Its origin dates back to the times when Cuba was a Spanish province.
Café Bombón – This drink was popularized in Valencia and spread throughout the rest of the country and eventually into Asia. It consists of a delicious ratio of equal parts coffee and sweetened condensed milk.
Barraquito – A specialty from Tenerife, Barraquito is traditionally prepared with Licor 43.
Café Crème – A long espresso drink. Despite its name it usually does not contain any cream but is rather a large espresso.
Luzerner Kafi – This drink from Lucerne is enhanced with Träsch liquor.
Turkish Coffee – Turkish coffee is prepared by grounding coffee with a manual grinder to a very fine powder. It is made by bringing the ground coffee (with water and sugar) to boil in a cezve (special pot). Once the mixture begins to froth about a third of the coffee is poured onto individual cups, with the remaining liquid returned to the fire and re-distributed once it starts to boil again. This type of coffee is very strong and normally served in special small porcelain cups.
Iced Coffee – Now immensely popular, iced-coffee as we know it originated in North Africa as Mazagran. It was brought to France in the 19th century and quickly became popular in Paris. This was the first coffee drink to be served in tall, narrow glasses.
Ice Blended Coffee – Ice-blended coffee is related to the Greek Frappé, a foam covered iced coffee drink. It was invented accidentally by a Nescafe representative in 1957 after which it became popular all over Greece.
Mocha – This drink consists of three equal parts of espresso, hot chocolate, and steamed milk.
Breve – Italian for "short". An espresso with half-and-half (light cream), instead of whole milk.
Ca Phe Sua Da – Coffee was introduced into Vietnam by the French in the mid 1800s. The rising popularity of the Café Cortado in Spain and then in France influenced the rise of the Vietnamese take on adding sweetened condensed milk to coffee.
This list is by no means comprehensive, and coffee culture is still evolving today. What are your favorite ways to drink coffee? We personally love the café de Olla and the (of course) classic cappucino, but would love to try the carioca one day!
]]>
To celebrate the launch of our new illustrated map collection, we are offering two free French-themed printables to complete your travel-inspired gallery wall.
Both landmarks - the Chartres Cathedral and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame - are available for download HERE for the entire month of August only :)
We offer free printables monthly, so make sure to sign up to our newsletter to receive more discounts, updates, and free printables for your home!
To complete your French-inspired gallery wall, check out our Illustrated Map of France HERE.
]]>Today, we've rounded up ten unique foodie gifts that any food lover is sure to enjoy. P.S. These would be perfect for Mother's day gifts as well!
Our Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables Art Print is an illustrated seasonal produce chart that serves as both a handy reference tool and a beautiful kitchen decor piece. (This design comes in a tote bag for trips to the farmer's markets too!)
Clean and minimalist, this beautiful acrylic wall calendar would be perfect for recording to-dos and events. Plus, it's reusable!
We love anything ombre - and these are such pretty shades of coral! These would be beautiful on the kitchen counter.
Copper is a major trend in home and kitchen decor recently, and these pans would look stunning in a vintage-inspired kitchen.
We love the idea of personalized kitchen tools - and copper + marble is a beautiful combination.
For coffee lovers & globe-trotters, this print showcases over fifty different ways to take your coffee from around the globe.
Beautiful and functional, this art print features twelve popular culinary herbs along with pairing suggestions.
A companion to the Culinary Herbs Art Print - this Spices Art Print also features twelve popular spices and hand painted illustrations for each.
Modern and elegant, these coasters would look lovely with just about anything.
Personalized kitchen decor always makes a great gift for any foodie - we love these tea towels that can be personalized with calligraphy.
Hope these gifts give you some inspiration for your next food-inspired gift for a friend (or yourself)!
If you're looking for more kitchen and food-inspired art prints, check out our food art print collection HERE.
]]>
Since summer is right around the corner, we’ve rounded up some beautiful cactus-themed décor items created by our fellow artisans on Etsy. Let us know which ones are your favorites in the comments below!
This hand illustrated art print is an easy way to add a whimsical feel to a gallery wall. No watering required :)
Super cute push pins featuring cacti - would be lovely on a cork board to add some fun to a workspace!
Cute coasters ideal for a fun and bohemian dinner party :)
These plushies are too cute for words - love the little saguaro cactus with flowers! I think these would be perfect for a nursery or playroom.
Modern, elegant pots for succulents handcrafted in wood
We love these - they are such an easy and affordable way to personalize a wall!
Love anything grey + gold - the design of this pillow is playful but classic.
These lovely gold cacti are really unique and photograph beautifully either alongside some succulents or on its own!
Looking for more botanical-themed wall art or prints?
Check out our botanical collection here, and get some free printable wall art to finish your gallery wall here.
]]>
We are super excited to introduce the first print of a new collection on food and meal cultures around the world.
Our new print is an illustrated diagram of the typical dishes found in a seven-course French meal. All twenty-seven dishes are researched and handpainted by our team.
Our inspiration for this print comes from our co-founder Jorge's memories of Sunday meals with his French grandparents - where meals were a multi-course and beautiful affair.
The Giveaway
We are collaborating with a lovely blog, The Simply Luxurious Life, to offer a giveaway for this print - so make sure to head over to the blog and enter :) The print makes a perfect gift for the foodie and/or Francophile in your life!
The giveaway closes on December 10th so we can make sure the winner receives their print by Christmas!
]]>Today, we want to share the information and inspiration behind our Vitamins Wheel Art Print. Our infographic print features the top seven food sources for every vitamin in a single, easy-to-read chart.
We always try to prioritize healthy living, and part of that endeavor includes making sure we are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals in our diet. Personally, we've tried many different ways of tracking our vitamins and nutrients, but we couldn't find an easy-to-use reference guide that we could put in our kitchen.
Thus, we attempted to design one ourselves!
We created a series of infographic wheels showing the best food sources that contain each of the vitamin types. We show the best food sources for each vitamin type and the amount of said vitamin it contains per 100 grams of food content.
Next, we will go more in-depth into each of the vitamin types.
Required for: vision, gene transcription, immunity, and skin health.
Deficiency: can lead to blindness and increased susceptibility to viral infections.
Overconsumption: can lead to jaundice, nausea, irritability, vomiting, loss of apetite, and hair loss.
Optimal absorption: needs to be consumed with fat since it is a fat-soluble vitamin.
Best sources: cod liver oil, liver, red bell peppers, sweet potato, carrot, broccoli, and butter.
Current daily value: 5000 international units (IU).
Required for: cellular function, organ functions
Deficiency: wholesale degeneration of the nervous and circulatory systems, development of beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Overconsumption: unknown effects, may actually enhance brain function
Best sources: wheat germ, sunflower seeds, pork, flax seeds, trout, sesame seeds, salmon
Current daily value: 1.4 mg
Required for: proper energy metabolism, proper cellular functioning
Deficiency: cracking of the lips, mouth inflammation, mouth ulcers, sore throat, and anemia
Overconsumption: is rare as the body can regulate levels easily
Best sources: almonds, beef, mackerel, eggs, mushrooms, squid, lamb
Current daily value: 1.7 mg
Required for: regulating blood sugar levels, processing fat in the body, and lowering cholesterol
Deficiency: irritability, poor concentration, anxiety, fatigue, apathy, depression, diarrhea, amnesia, delirium, dermatitis, dementia, inflammation of the mouth
Overconsumption: skin rashes, dry skin, various digestive maladies, liver damage, type II diabetes, and increased risk of birth defects (overdose is rare however and only happens when it is taken in supplement form)
Best sources: tuna, liver, chicken, peanuts, mackerel, salmon, Portobello mushrooms
Current daily value: 20 mg
Required for: body cellular processes and fat mainenance
Deficiency: irritability, fatigue, numbness, apathy, and muscle cramps
Overconsumption: slight digestive complaints or diarrhea
Best sources: sunflower seeds, shiitake mushrooms, cheese, trout, pork, eggs, avocado
Current daily value: 10mg
Required for: red blood cell metabolism, nervous system, immune system
Deficiency: skin inflammation, depression, convulsions, confusion, anemia
Overconsumption: nerve damage in arms and legs
Best sources: sunflower seeds, pistachio nuts, tuna, turkey, plums, bananas, avocados
Current daily value: 2mg
Required for: adrenal function, nervous system health, metabolism of carbohydrate and fat
Deficiency: dermatitis, dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, fatigue, intestinal tract issues, and muscle pains
Best sources: chicken liver, eggs, trout, walnuts, peanuts, oats, avocados
Current daily value: 30 mcg
Required for: central nervous system and red blood cell health
Deficiency: anemia, fatigue, depression, mania, brain damage, and central nervous system damage
Best sources: clams, liver, oysters, mussels, mackerel, crabs, Swiss cheese
Current daily value: 6 mcg
Required for: development and maintenance of scar tissue, cartilage, and blood vessels
Deficiency: scurvy
Overconsumption: diarrhea
Best sources: yellow bell pepper, guava, kale, kiwi, pineapple, grapefruit, cantaloupe
Current daily value: 60 mg
Required for: calcium absorption, bone development, alleviation of inflammation, and immune system functioning
Deficiency: weakened immune system, increased cancer risk, poor hair growth, and osteomalacia
Overconsumption: can lead the body to absorb too much calcium, leading to increased heart disease and kidney stones
Best sources: cod liver oil, Portobello mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, trout, salmon, fish roe, mackerel
Current daily value: 600 international units
Required for: protection from damage caused by free radicals
Deficiency: poor transmission of nerve impulses, muscle weakness, and degeneration of the retina that can cause blindness
Overconsumption: excessive bleeding
Best sources: sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, chard, turnip, shrimp, spinach
Current daily value: 20 mg
Required for: protein modification and blood clotting
Deficiency: heart disease, weakened bones, tooth decay and cancer
Best sources: basil, spinach, kale, chard, Brussels sprouts, endives, blueberries
Current daily value: 80 mcg
]]>We strive to eat locally and seasonally as much as we can, and we often found ourselves at the grocery store wondering what was in season…and when? Though there were seasonality charts available online, we couldn’t find something that was both functional and beautiful enough to hang up in our kitchen. Given our design background, we challenged ourselves to create a custom print that would fit in our home and serve as a reference.
We had been spending our weekends painting mini-illustrations of food, so we started focusing on the fruits and vegetables we wanted to include in the seasonal chart. We painted 50+ fruits and vegetables for this chart alone (Check out our second bilingual Instagram account @lyrafrench for more food art)
This part isn't visually exciting, but we spent a day compiling data about the seasonality of different fruits and vegetables - then we input the data into an Excel spreadsheet. We cross-referenced a few different sources to make sure our information was aligned.
Because we want to give a general idea of what foods are in season during which month (and we are not tailoring to a specific year or harvest), we had some flexibility in terms of how to represent the information.
We considered a few options – the simplest way would be to create a simple grid format, with each grid representing a season. However, this format would not allow for perennially in-season produce.
We quickly decided that a circular diagram fit the cyclical nature of seasonal produce much better. Our first idea – using concentric arcs for each fruit/vegetable – was precise though limiting, and the illustrations would be too small.
In order to create a design that would be informative but still show our handmade illustrations, we ultimately decided on the “pizza” (our very non-technical term) layout, with supplementary text below the chart.
For this print, we spent about two full days laying out various iterations – surprisingly, this part actually took the longest time. We used Photoshop to color balance and clean up our scanned illustrations, and then spent a day just making sure the fruits and vegetables were in the right slices of the diagram. The sizing of each illustration and the balance of colors in the overall diagram were both taken into account.
Once we were happy with this final layout, we added the supplementary text as a secondary clarification, and we were finished!
And because we also love incorporating language into everyday life – we translated the print into both French and Spanish :)
Hope you enjoyed this peek into our process! As always, if you have any questions about our prints, feel free to contact us at hello@lyrapress.com.
Thank you for reading!
Crystal + Jorge
]]>
We thought we'd say a quick 'hello' and tell you a little bit about us, how we got started, etc.
We are Crystal and Jorge, husband-and-wife team behind Paper Mundi, which functions as both an online shop and an illustration studio. We met in architecture grad school, where we shared a studio desk and eventually became inseparable. After a few years working in corporate architecture firms, we decided that it was only natural to return to working together in a studio!
Aside from design, we both share a passion for learning about other languages, other cultures, and about the natural world. We love to learn and love design – and we have always talked about how art/design could be used as a fun, beautiful educational tool in everyday life.
We base each graphic on something we want to know more about in our own lives, and we hope that you can benefit from our designs as well! We want to spread the idea that art can be simultaneously beautiful and functional for everyday life.
Thanks for reading :)
Crystal + Jorge
]]>We are passionate about exploring new languages and especially finding beautiful ways to incorporate learning into everyday life. Many of our designs were created out of our personal desire to have beautiful yet functional prints in our home.
Below, we've compiled five of our most effective tips for learning a new language from home.
While this isn't a specific language-learning tip, identifying the why before the how is immensely helpful for maintaining motivation and commitment. What draws you to a specific language? Are you interested in the culture(s) of those who speak the language, or does the language have personal meaning to you?
This will help you develop a more customized and personal approach to learning. The process of learning a new language (or anything else) should be enjoyable and rewarding. Read simple children's books in your target language, or use one of our bilingual art prints to expose yourself to new vocabulary. For example, if you like Japanese, try watching anime to learn new words/phrases without even trying.
Are there specific conjugations? Multiple tones? A particular grammatical hierarchy? For example, understanding the differences between tones in Chinese is absolutely critical to understanding spoken Chinese. Spanish is generally pronounced as it is spelled; French is not - so learning the basic rules of spelling vs pronunciation would be very helpful when beginning to learn French.
In the early stages of learning a new language, you will usually find yourself mentally translating from one language to another. This is perfectly natural, but you can expedite learning by using creative methods.
Use the visual resources found on this site or create your own. Imagine a sentence or phrase visually. For an even more interactive exercise, illustrate the word or phrase. Imagine the phrase musically. It doesn't matter which method you use - just find something you enjoy! Do as much as you can to help your brain experience the language in many different modes. Mnemonics and rhymes can also be fun and effective :)
Learning to communicate in an entirely new way is a daunting task in any context. Many people have difficulty practicing a new language out of fear of embarrassment. While this tip has been said time and time again, it really is vital to practice and make mistakes. Emphasize unfamiliar sounds while speaking to exercise unused muscles. Recall the way children begin to sound out their native tongue. No one is born with inherently perfect grammar and pronunciation - and it's arguable whether there is just one way to speak any language. Celebrate your mistakes - you're making progress :)
]]>