Springtime at VMFA’s Floris

June 4, 2026June 2, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

Several months ago, I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea at Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s Floris Restaurant. Luckily for me, this darling tea room updates its menu quarterly or whenever a new exhibit arrives at the museum, giving visitors a chance to try new dishes throughout the year. I returned to Floris a few weeks ago, when they debuted their spring menu (they have since changed their offerings: their current menu reflects their latest exhibition, India’s Great Mughals: Art, Power and Opulence (more details about this exquisite collection coming soon!) I was excited to try the spring selection before the museum changed to the latest themed menu.

The tea service started with two pots of tea: one for me and one for my daughter. We decided to try the Shenandoah Blue and the White Tapestry tea blends to start. Both teas were bright, flavorful, and refreshing. We were then brought scones and bread, served with jam and a delicious soft butter. A short while later, our tower arrived.

First tea option, and the wine, beer and cider menu

On the bottom layer were the savory items: smoked salmon finger sandwiches, potato and leek pastries, charred broccoli bites, and boursin quiches. The salmon sandwiches were light, and the herbed lemon cream was a nice touch, but I found the flavor of this dish a little underwhelming, though pleasant. The potato and leek pastries were flaky and flavorful, and the salsa verde on top was just enough to keep the bright flavor profile that captured the energy of springtime. The broccoli bites were chilled, and while I think I would have enjoyed them more as a warm dish, the bacon crumbles on top offered a delightful crunch and enhanced the taste of the broccoli tremendously. My favorite was the boursin quiche: warm, cheesy, rich, buttery, and the little garnish on top was cute and tasty.

Bottom layer (left to right) smoked salmon finger sandwiches, potato and leek pastries, charred broccoli bites, and boursin quiches

The middle layer of the tower were two of the sweet treats. On this layer, we found the sweet potato crumble slice and the chocolate and sesame cookie cake. The sweet potato crumble slice was such a fresh interpretation of coffee cake configuration: we’re so often served sweet potato as a pie or as a side vegetable, and seeing it in a crumble cake was lovely. The flavor was tasty, and I love that it was combined with ice cream on the top layer. The chocolate and sesame cookie cake was another unexpected treat: this was one of those rare “not too sweet” desserts. The sesame provided an earthier flavor and more texture than is usually expected from chocolate desserts. I liked it, though I can’t say that it’s something that I’d clamor to recreate in my own kitchen.

Layer 1 (left to right) sweet potato crumble slice and the chocolate and sesame cookie cake; Layer 2 – savory items (previously discussed)

Finally, the top layer featured the passionfruit glazed madelines and raspberry macarons. The madelines were, hands down, my favorite dessert of the meal. Sweet, soft, fruity, bright, a little tart, and unmistakably tropical, these delicious spongy cakes with the incredible glaze were so divine, I could have eaten ten of them! The saddest moment of this meal was when I took the last bite of the madelines and knew that there were no more left. Finally, I ate one of the macarons, which were perfectly executed and tasty.

Top layer: macarons and passionfruit glazed madelines

We sipped our tea and enjoyed the time together. The tea room only had a few more guests, so we were able to enjoy a fairly quiet experience at Floris. It was notably busier during my last visit in the late fall, but I appreciate how the restaurant always offers fantastic service regardless of how busy things can get.

This was another fantastic Floris experience! I can’t wait to return and see how the chefs design the menu around the latest exhibition!

books · culture · life curation · reading list · writing

Springtime Reading List

May 28, 2026May 28, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I shared the books that I’ve read recently. One of my goals in 2025, that I’ve carried over to 2026, is reading daily. I read more books last year than I have since I was in school, and I’m on track for reading even more books this year. Now seems like as good a time as any to share the books I recently read, as well as what I’ll be reading until mid-June.

Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell – a speculative fiction gem that asks the question, “What would the United States be if there were no White Americans left?” It centers on the redemption arc of a man wrongfully accused of rape, and the daughter that never knew he existed until after losing all of her family to the tragic tragic event that left the US without White citizens. I enjoyed the story a lot, and it re-invigorated my love of fiction. The story left me with a lot of questions, primarily, what does redemption look like? How can I create “heaven” now, without requiring the intervention of a cataclysmic event? What does it mean to be truly self-sufficient and secure? And what happens when the status quo changes? Campbell did a great job of balancing the sensitivity of the subject of loss and grief, with the optimism and hope that remains after. I loved this one, and would happily read it again in the future.

Hellenismos by Tony Mierzwicki – I have friends who are exploring traditional forms of worship, including paganism and ancestor veneration. One of them recommended learning about the Greek pantheon, and I was intrigued, so I picked up this book. I LOVED it! Thoroughly researched, practicable, and easy to read, I enjoyed how the author took time to introduce not just the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece, but the lives of the devotees. Mierzwicki eloquently explains how worship of these deities was so intricately woven into the lives of the Greeks, and the line between religion, business, love, family and leisure were consistently blurred. While I’m not interested in following Hellenism, I feel like I’ve grown tremendously just by learning about it through this book. The daily practices that were outlined for the entire calendar year was particularly useful, as it was a great reminder to me that faith is a daily practices.

Your Faith Is Your Fortune by Neville Goddard – This is one of several books I’ve recently read by Goddard. I am a believer in mental discipline and focus, so I spent a considerable amount of time studying thought leaders and their works. I’ve read some of Goddard’s books before, but I recently got the Neville Goddard Complete Reader, and I’ve been methodically making my way through the entire thing (I’m anticipating being done with it before the end of June). Your Faith is Your Fortune is unlike any other book I’ve read: Goddard takes a number of specific Bible verses, and interprets through the lens of (as he describes it) a “psychological drama”. These “dramas” have traditionally been interpreted in a literal way, and Goddard encourages us to see the dramas as creative expressions that correspond to much more personally significant behaviors and choices. For people who have grown up in Christian (Bible-centered) households, this is an enlightening read that pushes the boundaries of how biblical instruction can be interpreted and applied in our lives.

The Power of Awareness by Neville Goddard – This book is a full explanation of the power of the law of assumption: how to use it, how to overcome challenges when using it, as well as case studies (success stories) of those that have used it. The heart of the book is the understanding of the power of “I AM”, and how these words form the world we live in. According to Goddard, “If man’s concept of himself were different, everything in his world would be different. His concept of himself being what it is, everything in his world must be as it is.” Goddard takes the time to explain what consciousness is, how important it is to control the imagination and sustain attention, and how crucial it is to “renounce evil” (concentrate your attention on what you’d prefer to experience). This was a fantastic book that deepened my understanding of the law of assumption and helped me become more effective in my usage of it.

Out of This World by Neville Goddard – This book by Goddard also deals with the law of assumption, and how our assumptions precede the experience. It has one of the most concise explanations of the law of assumption that I’ve seen in all of his works. It states, “Define your ideal and concentrate your attention upon the idea of identifying yourself with your ideal. Assume the feeling of being it, the feeling that would be yours were you already the embodiment of your ideal. Then live and act upon this conviction. This assumption, though denied by the senses, if persisted in, will become fact. You will know when you have succeeded in fixing the desired state in consciousness by simply looking mentally at the people you know.” This paragraph perfectly sums up how Law of Assumption works, and how persistence is the key to realizing the reality we desire. This book is shorter than some of the other Goddard books I’ve read, but I found it very easy to follow and instantly applicable.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler – I’m currently reading this book, and WHEW. This is a heavy one, for sure. It’s not surprising to anyone that’s familiar with Butler’s work that this is a story that changes you as you read it. Personally, I’m a fan of Octavia Butler, and I’ve read several of her books (Wild Seed is a favorite) but I had not read Parable until a couple of days ago. Butler was nothing if she was not a seer, with a number of her stories ending up as the lived reality in America more than 30 years after she first wrote them down. It’s uncomfortable reading where she thought the US would go, and it’s even more disturbing how accurate she was. I love it, and it’s breaking my heart with every subsequent chapter. I’m roughly halfway through the book, and it’s painful, but I’m determined to complete it. If you want to read a book that will haunt you long after you put it down, this is worth checking out.

These are my springtime reads! What are you currently reading, or have you read any of the books I mentioned? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!

art · beauty · life curation · luxury · relaxation · travel

Fun Times at Mission Hills Inn

April 16, 2026April 15, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

When spending time in Southern California, my dear friend took me to a famous landmark in Riverside. The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa is a beautiful space that has been the #1 Best Historic Hotel in California. I arrived at the perfect time to tour: I came to the hotel right after New Year’s Day. Fortunately for us, the Christmas decorations were still up, including the Christmas lights and gingerbread house. While the hotel was busy, there weren’t nearly as many visitors as they had before Christmas. Here are some photos from my time at The Mission Inn.

The stunning archway leading to the entrance of the hotel

The most unique and fun part of the hotel was the life-size gingerbread house, which was made of real gingerbread and candy. It smelled heavenly, and the hotel had signs up, asking guest to not touch or eat the house!

The lobby sported several stunning Christmas trees, which kept the festive spirit alive. I loved seeing the exquisitely decorated trees.

As an art lover, any statue in my vicinity gets a double take. This marble beauty was no exception. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of the plaque identifying the work.

On the exterior, there were tons of striking lights. There was a timed display that lit up the side of one of the buildings that made up the hotel.

Me with my favorite person outside of the hotel

I’m so glad I had a chance to enjoy the Mission Inn during the holiday-adjacent season. The lights were such a treat to my senses, and seeing the other decorations was glorious. I can’t wait to return and spend a little more time at the hotel!

beauty · life curation · luxury

Room Spray Review – Velvet Nights by George Foster the Lifestyle Market

April 13, 2026April 9, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

During my trip to Temecula at the beginning of the year, I got a chance to relax, connect, and enjoy some much needed time away from the East Coast. While I was there, I enjoyed tea time at Corbeaux, checked out the glorious Mission Inn, and I also visited one of my friend’s favorite shops. She was emphatic that we must check out this shop, praising both the owner and the products offered. She knows how I feel about anything elegant, scent-related, and unique. So off we went to George Foster the Lifestyle Market, an exceedingly elegant space that features custom fragrances and skin care supplies, among other things.

We got there on New Year’s Eve, and they were closed. However, the owner’s son recognized my friend and let us in. That right there spoke volumes about the kindness and community that the shop prioritizes. I met George a few moments after his son let us in, and they were both so incredibly warm and welcoming. And the space? Absolutely beautiful: it was well-curated, intentional and elevated. George has a background as an interior designer, so it should not be surprising that his space is perfectly appointed. You can tell that he is someone that understands layers of beauty, and that the environment is just as important as the products presented within it.

So I’m in the shop, smelling everything, figuring out what unique item I must buy. Then I come across a scent, and it stops me in my tracks. I know THIS is the one. It was, of course, Velvet Nights. And yup, I bought it. But as I purchased, I found out that it was the last one in the collection: it was a limited edition item, only available for the winter season. And if there’s anything I love, it’s exclusivity, so naturally, I knew I’d made the right choice. It smelled too good, AND it wasn’t mass produced: I knew it had to come home with me.

So while I love the fragrance, I was hesitant to do a review, because it was limited edition, no longer available, and so good that I kind of want to keep it to myself. But, George’s shop deserves a spotlight, so here I am. Even though Velvet Nights isn’t available, I have another recommendation that may work for you, so keep reading to find out about that.

Let’s talk about Velvet Night’s scent profile. It’s a lush amber, with notes of incense, subtle evergreen notes (either pine or cypress, perhaps juniper). If you know anything about ambers, you know they can be . . . a lot. They can come across heavy, syrupy, and overwhelming, depending on the formulation. In older fragrance profiles, amber scents were very dense and intense. However, this scent has none of those cloying notes. It’s clean, crisp, and effervescent, giving you the warmth of an amber without the weight.

This scent is beautifully balanced. It has the warmth of amber, the light smokiness of incense, and the crispness of evergreen notes. And nothing is too dominant in the formulation; each note dances beautifully, creating a harmonious blend that captures the duality of the winter season. If I could describe it, it would be, a walk in the woods on a snowy evening. Yes, I had to borrow from Robert Frost for this one, but that’s exactly what Velvet Nights brought to mind, but with a twist. Yes, you have the chilled air, the quiet around you, and the beauty of nature at rest. But also, you have the warmth of a velvet lined cape, the the gentle crackle of a fireplace, and the lush flavor of a steaming mug of your favorite winter beverage.

Now, aside from the scent’s exquisite profile, I found another reason to love it. It performs spectacularly. After coming home, I had the bottle sitting on my dresser, with the cap on. I hadn’t sprayed it yet. I left the house for a bit, and came back, and as I was settling in, I wondered, “What is that beautiful smell?” I knew I hadn’t lit a candle, so I wasn’t sure what I was smelling. Then I realized: it was the spray. THAT’s how potent it is! As a result, I’ve used it a number of times, but sparingly, because once it’s gone, it’s GONE. And I won’t be able to get it again until next winter (assuming George brings it back). I’m pacing myself, but I also can give it a little break, as the seasons are changing and I start rotating my lighter room sprays.

Now, just because this scent is currently unavailable doesn’t mean that all is lost. Here’s what I suggest:

If you’re near Temecula, go visit George Foster the Lifestyle Market
Ask George about similar scents
Explore the other room sprays (I recommend The Market room spray, which has a scent profile of bergamot, Persian lime, other citrus, and musk).
Order online if you’re unable to get to the shop in person

I loved it and had to review it on my YouTube. Here’s the video:

This scent was a 10 out of 10 for me, and I cannot recommend it enough! Even more impressive was the entire experience: the space, the intentional curation, and the people connected to it. I know for sure that I will be back!

beauty · life curation · luxury

Candle Review: The Gooch Gardener Orchid & Teakwood Candle

April 9, 2026April 8, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

As someone who absolutely adores home fragrance, I’m always on the hunt for a candle or room spray that feels elevated and memorable. I love putting my personal touches into my space, and that means making sure that the aroma of my rooms match the mood I’m trying to invoke. Something about scent – how it decorates a space without visuals or sound – is practically magical to me!

I recently had the pleasure of being contacted by The Gooch Gardener Candle Company, and they kindly sent over two of their candles for review. The first candle that I tried is the one that I’m sharing today, the Orchid and Teakwood scent. Let me tell you, this one made quite the impression on me!

Let me start with the basics of the company. The Gooch Gardener Candle Company is a business that’s local to Virginia (Goochland County) and they participate in farmer’s markets, however, the candles are also available on the website. The scents range between $29 and $37 per candle, depending on the size selected. The scents reflect the beauty of nature, through floral, citrus, woody and fresh notes. Before I lit the candle, I was struck by the care in presentation. The packaging was secure and clearly designed to protect the product well during shipping. Inside, I found a handwritten note from the owners and, as you all know, I love those sorts of details. The note shared that the Orchid and Teakwood scent is one of their bestsellers, which I’m happy to share has been restocked since I got my candle. After experiencing the fragrance, I can see why it’s a fan favorite.

The candle itself is substantial: it’s 16 ounces and features a 3-wick design, a hefty glass container and a perfectly fitting wooden lid to preserve the fragrance when unlit. It has a grounded and understated elegance that works well in a variety of home decor themes.

When I opened the candle, I was met by a lush and layered fragrance. It’s a beautiful blend of floral notes and woody tones: it’s a great dance between soft and structured elements. But what really struck me was the subtle watery notes that came through: I wasn’t expecting that, especially since marine notes weren’t listed in the candle fragrance description. I loved this unexpected touch, which makes the geranium, orchid and lavender transition seamlessly into mahogany and teakwood notes. In fact, I’d argue that the marine notes are what actually tie together the floral and woody notes, eliminating the jarring experience that can happen when two distinctly different fragrance families are combined. There’s a compelling duality in this fragrance: it’s very yin and yang, which makes it so broadly appealing. This balance between delicate and rich notes is a key factor in what takes a fragrance from simply pleasant to truly unforgettable.

Funny enough, I accidentally tested this candle in ways that I usually avoid. Normally, I don’t let my scented candles burn beyond two or three hours at a time. However, I lit this candle and forgot to extinguish it before I left my home to run errands. I returned home – 12 hours later – and was met at my front door with the most luscious scent I’ve had in quite a long while. Please, don’t leave your candles burning that long. And also, please know that I enjoyed the scent lingering in the air for the next 36 or so hours.

Even with my mishandling, the candle performed beautifully. It burned clean and evenly, and there is still a lot of product left in the container, even after my extended burn time. The scent remained extremely smooth and filled the space without overwhelming it.

I love that this candle is versatile, working for a variety of different seasons and occasions. It’s light enough to enjoy during the warmer months, and rich enough to be suitable for cooler weather. It’s effortlessly adaptable, making it a great investment as a home fragrance.

This candle was an absolute pleasure. It’s beautifully designed, thoughtfully crafted, and performs well. If you’re searching for a luxury candle that has a strong scent throw, balanced floral and wood fragrance, and high quality soy wax, then this candle is one that you must check out. I love it so much that I did a video review of it, too. You may view that video here:

If you’ve enjoyed The Gooch Gardener Candle Company, please let me know! I’d love to hear which fragrances you recommend that I try next!

art · beauty · culture · food · life curation · luxury · relaxation

Afternoon Tea At VMFA’s Floris

December 11, 2025December 2, 2025 MstldelanoLeave a comment

Recently, I had a chance to dine at Floris, the tea room at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA). I’ve dined at Floris before, but since they change their menus seasonally, I was due for another visit.

The restaurant is currently featuring the fall menu, which highlighted warm spices, tender brassicas, and autumnal squashes. I went with my daughter, and we both enjoyed the signature tea, which features all of the listed bites and unlimited amounts of any of the non-premium teas (we had to try a premium tea for good measure).

The experience started with us being seated in a lovely room that was a bit further back from the main entrance. Our space was punctuated with a grand Christmas tree that was white with silver accents. The room itself was a deep teal color, with light multicolored wooden floors and gold accents upon the walls. As we took in the beauty of our space, we were greeted by our waiter, who brought us menus and filled our water glasses.

Close up of one of the Christmas trees at Floris

After learning that we could select two teas to start, we discussed which teas sounded most interesting. We decided to try the Marie Antoinette tea as well as the Milk Oolong premium tea (which has a $6 USD upchage per teapot). Our tea arrived while we waited for our food. The Marie Antoinette was fruity, bright and softly floral, with none of the bitterness that can occur with many other black tea varieties. This was probably my favorite tea of the afternoon. The Milk Oolong was just as described: creamy, smooth, and buttery. I can confirm that this tea had notes of milkiness without any actual dairy being included. I was impressed at the subtle but impactful flavor profile on this tea.

We were brought a basket of biscuits and scones, along with jam and butter. These were tasty, and a great way to start our tea. The scones featured a swirl of additional flavoring (I don’t know what it was: the items were brought to us while I washed my hands, and I forgot to ask our waiter about it). The scones were softer and sweeter than the biscuits, and both were perfect with our first two pots of tea.

Our food arrived and it was an impressive presentation. We started our meal with the fried saltines and pimento cheese savory bites (the top level). Rich, a little salty, and a lot crunch, these delicious cheesy bites were perfectly balanced by the tomato conserva garnish, which left a little sweetness and brightness after each bite. We followed up with the baked brie bites (top level), which had little bits of mushroom, pepper jelly, and a sprig of micro greens on top. This is a nice, standard tea dish: soft baked cheese in phyllo dough, with a few other ingredients for more flavor and texture. This is one that would be fairly easy to recreate at home, and would be a tasty hit with your guests!

We progressed to the roasted sweet potato salad, which had a mixture of cubed sweet potatoes, feta cheese, bits of sauteed kale, and cranberries. The salad was served in a single endive leaf, adding a touch of tasty bitterness to a dish that perfectly captured sweetness, sourness, saltiness, and umami. This was a surprise hit for me, as I didn’t know what kind of salad to expect. This is absolutely a dish I would make myself, and would happily serve to others. We finished our savory bites with the braised green handpies, which my daughter accurately described as tasting like gomen, Ethiopian style collard greens. These handpies featured both collard and kale green, cooked until flavorful and tender, and the greens with mixed with other winter vegetables (like squash). On top of the flaky pastry pockets, there was a drizzle of smoked tomato coulis, the perfect little touch of delicious decoration. The handpies was my daughter’s favorite dish.

We finally progressed to the final tier, with the sweet bites. But, before we started our bites, we tried another tea. We decided that the Moroccan Nights herbal tea could be tasty, and we weren’t disappointed. This tea was faintly minty, but mostly a floral, approachable blend that worked well with the sweet items we tried. Our first dessert item was the apple pound cake, that I quickly realized I couldn’t hold in my hands, as the warmth began melting the milk chocolate glazed on the outside of each slice! The mascarpone garnish and light-as-air sweet crisp on top – in the shape of autumn leaf, no less! – was such a pretty and tasty touch. We then tasted the pumpkin pate choux, an airy cake that was hollowed out and filled with a decadent pumpkin filling, and then topped with meringue and toasted until golden brown. This was my absolute favorite sweet of the bunch, and I could have eaten 20 of these!

Before we ate the last sweet bite, we ordered our final tea of the day, Himalayan White. This was an easy to sip, mildly sweet tea that contrasted well with our rich desserts. The final sweet treat with the spiced chocolate cremeux, which is a fascinating take on chocolate ice cream. This is what I’d imagine an upscale interpretation of the standard cherry cordial candy would taste like. This treat was had earthy and warming notes from the spice, the coldness of the ice cream, a touch of bitterness from the dark chocolate brownie bits, and the sweet and tart raspberry coulis encasing all of it. This was my daughter’s favorite and it’s easy to see why: it’s a fun mix of fruit and chocolate!

When we finished our meal, the waiter brought us an additional treat: we got chocolate caramel stuffed tarts to pair with the last cup of tea. Delicious! Such a tasty and unexpected way to end our meal.

As we sipped the last of our tea and looked out of the windows of the tea room, we savored the easy energy of the afternoon. Our time at Floris was a wonderful way to unwind in the afternoon. I can’t wait to return when they debut their winter menu!

Leaving Floris after a beautiful afternoon tea

art · culture · international · life curation · relaxation · travel

My Heart Belongs to Scotland – Flying Home

December 9, 2025December 4, 2025 MstldelanoLeave a comment

After finishing my last full day in Scotland, I tucked into my Radisson Blu bed and got an amazing night’s rest. The next morning, I got up, ate a fantastic breakfast, then called an Uber to take me to Edinburgh Airport. My driver was a lovely gent, who recommended I visit Oban when I return to Scotland (consider it added to my list!). I didn’t take many photos to document my trip home, so I’ll share some random photos from Scotland that weren’t in my previous posts.

Statue of Sir Walter Scott on Princes Street in Edinburgh

When I got to the airport, I checked in easily and then explored the departure area. If you recall, in my first post about my Scotland trip, I mentioned how I had limited shopping and food options in the International arrival gate area. So I was curious whether there was more dining and shopping opportunities in the departure gate. As it turns out, there were FAR more stores and restaurants in this part of the airport. Waiting for my plane was a lot easier with so many things for me to see and do as the time ticked by.

More statues in Edinburgh: this one is David Livingstone

My plane arrived, and I was very thankful for my upgraded seats: I was able to stretch my legs comfortably, and since I always order special meals, I received my dinner earlier than most passengers. I did a bit of writing, movie watching and sleeping on my way back to the States.

Modern restaurant in a gothic building: I never tire of the blend of old and new in Edinburgh

My flight had a layover in New York (JFK), so I had to get on another plane to make my way home. Unfortunately, due to stormy weather, my connecting flight was cancelled. This was a stressful experience: not only was I exhausted beyond belief (the drastic time change between the UK and the East Coast of the US is brutal) but I had to book a hotel and hand wash some of my garments, since the bulk of my clothing was in my checked luggage (which I couldn’t access, since the airline kept it until the connecting flight arrived). My connecting flight wasn’t until the next day, and since the delay was weather related, I didn’t qualify for a refund of my out of pocket costs (more about that later).

I reserved a room at The Fairfield by Marriott New York Manhattan Times Square (that’s a mouthful!) I was glad to get nice accommodations on such short notice. I was tired and a little bedraggled, thanks to the rainstorm that caused me to need a hotel room in the first place. The reception desk was one of my best check ins ever, with a great staff that were so kind and helpful. They were a relief after a challenging day at JFK Airport.

Barriers for Edinburgh Fringe: it states, Scotland, The Perfect Stage. They’re right!

I slept soundly, partially due to jet lag, and partially due to the bed being so comfortable. I woke the next day, grabbed my carry on, and made my way back to JFK. I checked in, got to the seating area, and 90 minutes later, I was on my plane, heading to my hometown.

When I got home, I reached out to Delta and explained the issue, and they graciously granted me goodwill mileage since I incurred significant out of pocket expenses due to the cancellation. I am always so impressed with their customer service, and I’m thankful that the second representative I spoke to was willing to help me in this way. It was a challenging trip back home, but I arrived safely, and for that, I’m thankful.

That’s the last of my weeks in Scotland: what a TIME was had! It was eventful all the way to the very last flight! Thanks for reading, and I will talk to you all soon.

art · culture · food · international · life curation · luxury · music · travel

My Heart Belongs to Scotland – Edinburgh, Day 2

December 3, 2025December 3, 2025 Mstldelano1 Comment

After an amazing day exploring Edinburgh, finishing off with an evening at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, I rested and prepared for the last full day in the city, which included time at St. Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle.

Despite visiting Edinburgh previously, I never got a chance to visit these two sites. I was so excited because I knew that these were the perfect sites to visit with a group: having a guide that is dedicated to sharing history and answering your questions is a top tier experience that isn’t always available to you as a solo traveler. Also, members of tour groups often come up with excellent questions that add richness and deeper understanding to the conversations held while touring.

St Giles’ Cathedral is a very special place for Clan Graham and the Clan Graham Society (the group I toured with while in Scotland). This is the final resting place for James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, the ancestral head of Clan Graham. This somber site is a stunningly beautiful building, with lots of stained glass and a ton of fascinating history. The church still operates out of this building, as it has done for the past 900 years. You can attend services if you happen to be in Edinburgh: services are held on Sundays and mid-day during the week.

Stunning architecture overhead at St Giles’ Cathedral

I was deeply moved as I paid my respects to James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. I was amazed by the peaceful and dignified likeness of Graham on his sarcophagus. Richard Graham, North American Chieftain of Clan Graham, and president of Clan Graham Society, provided a stirring recitation of the poem written by James Graham prior to his execution.

The 1st Marquess of Montrose, James Graham

Richard Graham paying his respects to his ancestor

The poem recited was, “Let them bestow on every airth a limb”, a haunting description of the execution that the 1st Marquess knew he’d experience, as well as his assured belief that God would recover his spirit and view him as righteous. This beautiful poem is worth sharing here (courtesy of All Poetry):

Let them bestow on every airth a limb,

Let them bestow on every airth a limb,
Then open all my veins, that I may swim
To thee, my Maker, in that crimson lake,
Then place my par boiled head upon a stake;
Scatter my ashes, strow them in the air.
Lord, since thou knowest where all these atoms are,
I’m hopeful thou’lt recover once my dust,
And confident thou’lt raise me with the just.

I also saw that James Graham and some of his descendants were honored at several different memorials within St Giles’.

Memorializing the 1st Marquess of Montrose

I was amused by the story of Jenny Geddes, the woman who threw a stool at the head of a St. Giles’ minister, in protest of the attempted Anglican-izing of the Scottish church. I was in awe of the Thistle Chapel, where the Order of the Thistle (the chivalrous organization headed by King Charles III) convenes. Hearing the significance of each of the seats and the decorative emblems chosen for the members of the Order was fascinating.

A statue in tribute to Jenny Geddes’ cuttie-stool

Crests in stained glass in the meeting area for the Order of the Thistle

The spectacular ceiling in Thistle Chapel

Details above the seats in Thistle Chapel

This beautiful cathedral also had the honor of accommodating Queen Elizabeth II’s body for nearly 24 hours as she was relocated from Balmoral Castle to Buckingham Palace. A couple of years ago, I had the honor to pay my respects to Her Majesty at her final resting place in Windsor Castle. I did not know that her body had also traveled to Edinburgh en route to Westminster Abbey.

Memorial commemorating where HM Queen Elizabeth II laid en route to London

One unique memorial plaque that I saw was the one to Elsie Maud Inglis, a physician and suffragist who founded the Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Foreign Services. Her organization served extensively during World War I, and supported the Serbian army during this time. Inglis is honored in both Edinburgh and in Serbia.

And what Scottish historical site would be complete without a tribute to national treasure Robert Burns? The stained glass window dedicated to Burns is a delight to the eyes.

Burns memorial stained glass window at St Giles’ Cathedral

After leaving St. Giles’ Cathedral, we headed over to Edinburgh Castle. These two significant landmarks are a short distance from one another. I really loved Edinburgh Castle, and it was a treat to see the Scottish crown jewels (sadly, we were not allowed to photograph them). Seeing this incredible site, where King James the VI was born, made a lasting impression on me.

One of the structures at Edinburgh Castle

Sleek, elegant lion sculpture at Edinburgh Castle

When we finished touring the castle, we met up with a friend living in Edinburgh and had a great lunch at a local restaurant, The Mussel and Steak Bar. I don’t like mussels, but I enjoy most other seafood, so I knew I’d find something I like. I had an AMAZING crab lunch that was massive, messy and delicious.

We finished the evening with a dinner and performance at Ghillie Dhu, where a bagpiper and highland dancers entertained us. We ate a great dinner and I tried real haggis for the first time. We ended the night with a little bit of ceilidh dancing.

My last full day in Edinburgh was incredible and memorable. I didn’t want to leave this beautiful city, but I also missed my family, and I was ready to see them and to get back to my routine.

I’ll talk about my interesting return back to my hometown in my next post. Until then, take care, and thanks for reading!

art · culture · festivals · food · international · life curation · luxury · music · travel

My Heart Belongs to Scotland – Edinburgh, Day 1

December 1, 2025November 28, 2025 Mstldelano1 Comment

After spending a fantastic day at Scone Palace, downtown Perth, and Innerpeffray Library, we were off to Edinburgh, our last city on this Scotland tour.

Edinburgh is such a magical city. When we arrived, it was the early evening, which means we had time to walk around and explore a bit. I was thrilled when I saw one of my favorite things in Scotland: Harris tweed coats and accessories.

Love these gorgeous coats and accessories

We stayed at the Radisson Blu, a sleek and modern hotel located in Edinburgh’s city centre. We returned to our hotel after grabbing a small fast food dinner. When we got back to the room, I could finally take it all in: the rooms were nothing like the boutique hotels we were in for the majority of the trip. We had elevators, bright lighting, spa facilities: this hotel was like stepping back into the modern day (after enjoying the history and charm of yesteryear). We were exhausted from the busy day we enjoyed, so we slept well and got our rest. That next day, my friend and I were still a bit tired, and opted out of the scheduled activities for the day. We slept in, then walked around Edinburgh. Oh, and one more thing: we were in Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival, so there was plenty of outdoor activity as we walked around near our hotel.

We missed breakfast, but walked to a nearby restaurant for lunch. We decided to try David Bann, a vegetarian restaurant. I order a mint tea, a salad, and the wild mushroom bake. I finished with a dessert. Everything was so delicious! I hate how quickly I ate my meal: I barely got any pictures. That being said, I highly recommend that you all stop by if you’re in Edinburgh (if you’d like me to do a review on David Bann specifically, I can make that a separate post).

While walking around on Princes Street, we ended up at Whittard of Chelsea, where I couldn’t resist buying Banoffee Pie and Sticky Toffee Pudding flavored hot chocolate. I spotted some more gorgeous traditional Scottish clothing and also made my way to shops that I enjoy at home (like Zara). We were out for several hours, so we decided to eat dinner before heading to our evening activity.

On our schedules for the evening was the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a dazzling display of dance, music, rifle and sword artistry, and precision marching. It was a thrilling show that is fun for the whole family. The spectacular show ended with an incredible combined routine with all of the participating military forces, and an array of fireworks light the sky up.

More performers at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

When we left the performance, I felt like I was buzzing from the excitement! To say that I enjoyed it would be an understatement. That being said, all of the walking, shopping, and taking in the street performers left me sufficiently tired. I fell asleep with no issue. I needed to get enough rest so that I could do all of the activities for the next day, our last full day in Scotland.

That’s all for day 1 in Edinburgh. I’m looking forward to sharing day 2, my final full day in Scotland, shortly. Until then, take care, and thanks for reading!

art · books · culture · festivals · food · international · life curation · nature · reading list · travel · writing

My Heart Belongs to Scotland – Perth

November 26, 2025November 22, 2025 Mstldelano1 Comment

In the last post, I shared about my time in Inverness and Montrose (which were difficult stops for me, since I had a bad cold during that time). Thankfully, I was starting to feel better by the time we got to Edinburgh, and not a moment too soon: Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities of all time!

Before we got to Edinburgh, however, we had a full day of activity ahead. After eating breakfast and checking out of The Links Hotel, we journeyed to our first stop, Scone Palace. Located in Perthshire, this stunning castle is the place where Scottish kings were crowned for hundreds of years. Before entering the palace, you can see the Stone of Destiny, the symbolic stone where these newly crowned kings would sit, in recognition of their reign. One such king is MacBeth (yes, that one), who was crowned in 1040. The stone is surrounded in mystery, as the original disappeared years ago and has never been located. That being said, there is great lore about both the Stone, as well as the rest of the palace.

Closeup of family crests: the Graham crest is depicted here

Scone Palace is full of incredible artifacts, none of which I could photograph, sadly. But, if you’re interested in the history of Dido Elizabeth Belle, then Scone Palace is a must-visit: the original painting of Belle hangs in one of their galleries. If you want a photograph the painting, you’ll either have to pay for it in the palace gift shop, or you can go to Kenwood House in London (which is probably a little easier to get to, if we’re being honest) and photograph the excellent recreation that they have on display.

Posing with a brochure that features the painting of Dido Elizabeth Belle

This site was great for photographs on the outside, as the grounds were absolutely beautiful. Also, there are wild peafowl on site, so you can see those beautiful birds as you enjoy your visit. If you’re in Perthshire, Scone Palace is a must see!

Bell hanging from a tree at Scone Palace

This statue blends the highland coo with peacock feather coloring

We stopped for lunch in downtown Perth, and ended up being treated to a parade! I wish I had taken more pictures: at this point, I was hungry to the point of distraction, so I didn’t feel like photographing the parade participants. However, what we saw was the Perth Salute, a local festival that celebrated the military, complete with a parade that features military and civilian bands, as well as local performers of all backgrounds (we saw quite a few South American countries represented in the parade). It was a fantastic parade and brought out a lot of the community.

We decided to eat at The Bulldog Frog, and that was a fantastic choice. I ordered the avocado and tomato toastie, which had fries and homemade slaw on the side. The food was so delicious, and I could finally think clearly after feeling ravenous for the previous hour. Once our lunch break was done, we were off to our next stop, Innerpeffray Library.

After riding about 30 minutes, we arrived at the pastoral community where Innerpeffray Library is located. This stop was one of my absolute favorites. As a bibliophile, I don’t just love to read books: I also love learning the history of the guardians of books, as well as how books and literacy were promoted through the ages. This was the first lending library in Scotland, starting more than 300 years ago. Innerpeffray’s collection includes an extensive amount of books, including the personal Bible of James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose, and the first head of Clan Graham.

Inspirational words – Visualizing the known world and the New World

The library also has an interesting history that includes one of the earliest examples of gender equity in literacy and education. The on-site school house taught both boys and girls (in a time where formal education for girls was considered unnecessary in many cultures), and one of the fascinating entries in the Borrower’s Register (the logbook of people who borrowed books) includes an entry for a girl who worked for a landowner who borrowed a book on his behalf, but also borrowed a book for herself to read. I was touched to hear how, even at a time where social and gender perspectives were firmly favoring male members of the upper class, resources such as books were still made available to those that were disadvantaged. A bit of fun trivia is that this library has the smallest book in the world, measuring just 5 mm x 5 mm.

Details about the smallest book in the world

A number of historical texts at Innerpeffray

We chatted extensively with the current Keeper of the Books (a role that has been continually staffed for hundreds of years), whose enthusiasm and knowledge were unmatched. We then toured the chapel and were blown away by the beautiful remains of the original decor.

Outside, I took photos of the rural setting: it was a beautiful, sunny, picturesque day. I vowed right then to return to Innerpeffray Library to tour again, and hopefully to spend some more time in nearby downtown Perth. This was a perfect stop on a perfect day, and I can’t say enough good things about it.

Once we left the library, we journeyed on to Edinburgh, and checked into the Radisson Blu Hotel. Edinburgh is a lively, incredible city, and we just so happened to be there during Fringe. There’s so much more to share, so I’ll have to continue in another post! Stay tuned for the next installment, and thanks for reading!