Must Haves

When people talk about Belgium they usually talk about chocolate, right? And you get visions like these in your head, right? Especially if you've had the pleasure to visit Belgium and savor these little delicacies for yourself.

So let me ask you this... when you think of America, do you think of chocolate? Probably not, or at least not really good dark chocolate. Last weekend I had the pleasure of a visit from my Dutch friends, who live just close to an hour away from Belgium, the birthplace of all chocolate dark and lovely! My friends can simply jump in their car and drive anywhere in either Holland or Belgium and stuff their faces with all the best chocolate they can stand, right?

So, imagine my amusement when my Dutch friends come for a visit, here to the US and have this list of "must haves"...which include {but are not limited to}

1. DARK Chocolate Covered Cashews CVS Brand only (yes, I mean the drugstore)

2. Bubblicious

3. DARK Chocolate Covered Peanut M&Ms.

4. Everything From Ambercrombie & Fitch

So Ironic!

This has made me start to think of my own list of "must haves" when travelling. I thought I'd share my favorite with you...

Whenever I go home to visit North Olmsted, Ohio, I MUST have Frankie's pizza and salad. In fact, it's not just me, it's my whole gaggle of girlfriends too. We connect over Frankie's food. Perhaps it's emotional because the kid (now 41) who's father owns this bit of nostalgia, now runs the place and we grew up with him. Our childhoods are embedded with fond memories of the best pizza on the planet and oh, can you say mountain of shredded provolone cheese on the salads, topped with a poppy seed dressing? OK, now I really need to get back to OH.

Now I'm curious, what's your "must have"?

iCANDY - 39th Edition

I love all things food! If you follow me on Twitter, you will notice I frequently post links to newly found Etsy foodie shops late at night when I'm most hungry. Etsy's food category is constantly growing and at last count there were 10,128 items you could munch, snack or drink on! With backyard entertaining on the mind {if it ever stops raining} I found some new places to help make any spread more fun. ENJOY!

1. Summer Sun Tea - Owens Acres, Placerville $22.00

2. Vintage Ice Cream Cups - Paper Treats, Michigan $4.95

3. Hibiscus Soda - Botanary Confections, New York $9.50

4. Luau Party Cookies - Lori's Place, Kissimmee, FL $24.99

5. Vanilla Marshmallow Cream - Sweetie Pies Delights, St. Peters, MO $6.95

6. Strawberry with Cinnamon Jam - Lemon Bird, Wrightwood, CA $8.00

i CANDY - 12th Edition

Directions: For best results, click on collage

I'm sooooo hungry right now and putting together this iCANDY feature about food is making me weak. Now I wish I HAD put those cookies into my cart yesterday!! So much for being calorie conscious:(

When you think of Etsy, food is not the first thing that comes to mind. Gaining much popularity on Etsy, you really need to check out all the different sellers of edible items. I'd like to introduce you to three such sellers who seem to have a grasp on what it takes to not only make interesting gastronomic treats, but take nice pictures too. I personally have not tried any of their items, but {hearted} them and plan on feasting - SOON

First up, Sweets On Sticks. Can you believe this "Sandwich Cookie Line?" Those McNuggets, look McTasty. Now that is talent. Next is Whimsy and Spice. I want to jump on those marshmallows. The packaging for this line of baked goods is a 10! Well done. Last, but not least I wanted to include Purpose Design. What a great array of spices and loose teas, plus you can choose your own variety and store it all in a handy magnetic storage solution.

Enjoy!