Travel Thursday: Girona ...

It's been a while since I made a travel post, but today I want to share a hidden gem. It took me three or four trips before I discoved this gorgeous town. While I absolutely love Barcelona, the beautiful city of Gerona truly has a special place in my heart. Just look at that view, how could you not love it?

When I first visited the town, it reminded me of Italy with the same Mediterrean feel. It has the most wonderful vibe over there and the old town is so authentic.

Just look at this beautiful Cathedral and the steps leading up to it (all 86 of them, I counted them :-)) I would have love getting married there, what a way to make your entrance!

The Passeig de la Muralla is the best way to discover the town.  These medieval walls (built between the 9th and 15th century) surround a large part of the historic center. You can access them at several points, walk along and climb the towers. It gives you a spectacular view of the city.

One day we roamed the city when a thunderstorm broke lose (yep, the one in the picture) and we took shelter in the amazing Museu de Cinema. The Tomàs Mallol Collection is dedicated to the world of film and moving images and features important objects from the history of pre-cinema and early cinema that are absolutely unique. I've never been more happy for some rain than that afternoon.

Girona is also home to El Celler de Can Roca. The restaurant (which holds three Michelin stars) was named the best restaurant in the world of 2013.  Next door, their mama still has her own restaurant. I read an article about it a few weeks ago and if I had to pick a place, I would try out their mama's restaurant. 

I haven't made up my mind yet if we will visit this time. The town where we're staying is closer to Barcelona and it's been way too long since I've been there. In case I don't, I'll come back next time.

Our countdown has begun. Only ten days left before we leave!

Happy Thursday!

El Celler de Can Roca is a restaurant in Girona, Catalonia, Spain which was opened in 1986 by the Roca brothers, Joan, Josep and Jordi. It was first located next to their parent's restaurant El restaurante de Can Roca, but moved to a purpose built building in 2007. It has been received warmly by critics, and holds three Michelin stars. It has been often compared to former world number one restaurant El Bulli. In 2013, it was named the best restaurant in the world, after having been ranked as the second best restaurant in the world by The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2011 and 2012.

38 months ...

Sweet girl of mine, 

Why are you growing up so quickly? Lately you tell me you're the mama and I'm the baby and you take care of me in the sweetest way. You have such a gentle soul and that makes me so proud and happy. 

You got the chicken pox and it was so sad to see you all covered in those red dots. Look mama, I have dots on my tummy. Poor you!

In the middle of the night you sneak out of your little bad into ours and there's nothing better than wake up and feel you beside me. Best wake up call ever :-)

You called me sweetie today, out of the blue. You are mama sweetie and I'm the little sweetie. Makes my heart melt into a small puddle of love.

Each time I think I can't love you any more, my heart grows overnight and is filled with more love and happiness by the time I open my eyes. You are the greatest love story of my life ...

love you sweetie, 

mama x 

Be my guest ...

Our trip is only 2.5 weeks left and I can't wait to leave (had an awful day today). I will not schedule any posts from myself during my absence, but I was wondering if any of you wanted to guest post on this little blog of mine. 

My sweet friend Malo has already agreed to help me out and I can't wait to share her story with you. If you want to be my guest while I enjoy the beach and some much needed sunshine, let me know! I would be honoured to have you ...

love, 

mama x 

Happy Mother's Day ...

About three years ago I celebrated my first Mother's Day and I still remember how overwhelming this adventure felt. It's still overwhelming at times, but for different reasons. 

I always compare being a mama to the greatest love story you'll ever experience. One with the highest highs, leaving you loved beyond imagination and the deepest lows, making you wonder if you'll ever get this right. One with bumps along the ride and tantrums till you're fed up. And in the end you know you'll get your heart broken, but it's all worth it. 

It takes becoming a mama to realize what your own mama did for you and I have never loved mine more than since I became a mama myself. When I watch those two together, they are so alike and so full of love. She's the only one I leave my little one without worring about her. Thanks mama for being you!

Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing, wonderful, sweet mamas out there! We rock!

love, 

mama x

Still alive ...

Thought I stop by and say hi :-) Blogging hasn't been a lot on my mind lately. In a way it has, I have so much to show you and tell you. I just can't motivate myself to get behind my computer and blog. As much as I love the Blog Every Day in May challenge, I'm not participating LOL I already decided a while ago to take a backseat with blogging in May. Life's so busy at the moment and with blogging feeling like a chore, I rather use the few spare moments I have to plan our trip or spend with this little girl :-)

Right now I just want to be a mama and survive the next few weeks till we hop on a plane to Barcelona and get to my happy place. So if I don't post or tweet or say hi on your amazing blogs, it's not because I don't love you anymore. I still do and I miss you guys. It just means I'm off being a mama.

Talk to you soon!

love, 

mama x 

La maman loves: Samudra Rocky Point Pouch

Lately, I've been loving (and buying some) items with a pretty photo print.  This Samudra Rocky Point Pouch is no exception. It would be the perfect bag for a romantic date on a warm summer's evening. Or the right excuse to brighten up a grey day. 

I bought this bikini bottom with a holiday print last week. I had been eyeing the bikini for a long time, but by the time I finally decided to buy it, it was sold out online. Luckily I still found the bikini bottom at my local store and I mixed/matched it with a top in light chocolate.

This palm tree print top of H&M is my new favourite top. It just screams vacation to me and as I'm counting down to our trip, this is the best way to daydream about that coming trip. Best thing: I found it at the teen girls department, so it was cheaper than their regular stuff and a real steal.

Do you love my choices?

Have a great day!

mama x 

Picture perfect ...

This weekend I had a photography assignment to shoot pics. It was the first shoot I did for someone who's not family or a friend and I loved it. I'm by no means a professional, but it gave me a taste of what it could be like and it has me reconsidering my future plans. We did the shoot at our local zoo and I took the little one with me. I won't be posting any pics of the shoot itself, but I had an impromptu silly shoot with the little one and she had so much fun.

Once she figured out we weren't there just for her, she actually started behaving really possessive. Several times she just came standing before my lens demanding to make a pic of her instead of the little girl. In the picture above she was telling me to make a pic of her and the tree. I was like: ok, if you hug it. As a happy hugger, she obliged without protest.

Doesn't she just look like the perfect kid on this pic LOL? If only ... by the end of the day, she had almost run out on me and made me look like the worst mama ever. But she does love me (or so she says) :-)

Happy Tuesday!

love, 

mama x