Paris Holds the Key to Your Heart

"A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life"- Thomas Jefferson

Our next stop was the City of Lights. We took a short train from London to Paris (it is insane to me that you can travel by train that far underwater). When we started to plan this trip around Christmastime we decided that each one of us would get to select one city that we would all go to without argument. Paris was my choice. I had never been to France and I had just seen Midnight in Paris so I was enamored by the idea of the city. I have to admit that Paris was my least favorite of all the cities we went to. I'm not sure what it was but Paris didn't live up to the gorgeous ideal I had for it. To be fair, when we told Gioia's Parisian friends where we were staying they all grimaced. So our hostel location may have had a lot to do with my disillusionment of the city. With that said, I would love to go back to Paris and stay near the Seine (not the red light district where we were) and do a five star trip.

Eiffel Tower

Featured Fashion: Maxi Dress, Chambray Shirt, Infinity Scarf, Sandals

Even though Paris was not my favorite place I still had a great time there. It's hard to not enjoy being in Europe with your best friends. 

The four of us spent an afternoon having a picnic at the base of the Eiffel Tower in the rain with baguettes, cheese, and grapes. Sitting underneath a landmark of that magnitude with people I couldn't love more was one of those moments that reminds me how lucky I really am.  We did all the major tourist things we could fit in. Just for future reference, everything closes on Monday in Paris so plan accordingly if you go. We missed out on Versailles, the catacombs, and the Musee D'Orsay because we didn't realize that. 

Sacre Coeur 

The infamous Moulin Rouge 

The Arc de Triomphe

Notre Dame

As most people are aware, Paris is synonymous with romance and love. One of the Parisian traditions is known as the lock bridge. Basically, lovers usually come to Paris with a padlock that they inscribe with initials, names, the date, really whatever they want. You lock the lock on the bridge and throw the key into the Seine to symbolize your undying devotion to each other. We decided that sounded pretty good to us (especially because our friendship has lasted between 16 to 18 years depending on whom you're talking to). Together we bought a lock, wrote our initials and the date, and threw the key over the bridge.

The Lock Bridge

Our Lock

I am incredibly blessed to have three incredibly intelligent, beautiful, and overall amazing best friends. We all went to different schools for college; two of us went out of state. Despite a 3,000 mile separation  we have maintained a friendship that I am overwhelmingly proud of. We all have our issues, but we love each other.  At this point in my life, there is no one I'd rather be in a city immortalized for love with. 

Stormy Day in Paris

Au Revoir! 

United Kingdom

"Not all those who wander are lost"-J.R Tolkein

After graduation and my road trip back to sunny California, I embarked on another great adventure- a month long backpacking trip of Europe with my best friends. I must preface this by stating that normally I am a notorious over-packer, but on this trip I limited myself to my backpack. Traveling for a month out of a backpack going from hostel to hostel was a new kind of trip for me. I had an incredible time and am already looking for a way to do it all over again.

I used this Dueter Pack which is a 40+10 pack. It worked really well for me and I would highly recommend it. I had the smallest bag out of all my friends and I traveled the longest without any problems.

I started my journey by flying to Edinburgh, Scotland. I studied abroad in Edinburgh and I am in love with the entire country. It also doesn't hurt that three of my favorite people are Scottish and let me stay with them. Erin, Emily, and Naomi were three of my flatmates when I first came to Bonny Scotland and they still live together (in a much more posh place).

I was picked up at the airport and immediately whisked into the center of Edinburgh. Erin, Emily, and myself caught up over breakfast and a walk around the city. I unfortunately didn't take many pictures of Edinburgh since I have so many from my residency there.

Victoria Street

We then drove to the train station to pick up Naomi and headed over to the gorgeous seaside town North Berwick. Erin is from North Berwick and was having a barbecue for her birthday there. We indulged in some great scenery, food, conversation, and an abundance of Pimms.

Yes, we are all in denim shirts.  

Erin's Gorgeous Ranch                               

The picturesque North Berwick

Our go to awkward self timer photo

We came back to Edinburgh the next day and went out for a great night on the Cowgate. We stayed out ridiculously late despite having to wake up early to catch the train to St. Andrews.

Getting wild in the streets of Edinburgh

The last time I was in Scotland I missed out on going to St. Andrews. However, Naomi and Emily were not going to let that happen twice.

St. Andrews Cathedral

Cathedral Cemetery 

The Castle

Taking in St. Andrews

The next morning I flew into London to meet up with my three best friends from growing up. I had a fabulous time in Scotland and am so grateful to have such great friends there! I can't wait to go back and see my flatties soon.

I honestly love the UK. I have a great time whenever I'm there, the people are great, and the history is fascinating. It was incredible to be able to share one of my favorite cities with people I've known all my life. Gioia, Sarah, Kelsie and I spent three great days in London pub crawling, visiting tourist locations, meeting new people, and celebrating our graduation from college (we all went to different schools). Our trip also overlapped with some other friends of ours so we had a great group to explore a great city.

Best friends together again

Hyde Park

Big Ben

Obviously it was raining 

London Eye

Photo Booth Photo Shoot

Gioia and Me

Rose Garden

Roses

*Ignore my horrible outfits. I struggled packing for the varied weather on our trip.

Anyways, the United Kingdom was, as always, an absolute joy and a great way to start my European Adventure. 

Cheers!

The End of the Start

"Come with me, where dreams are born and time is never planned. Just think of happy things and your heart will fly on wings forever, in Never Never Land."- J.M. Barrie 

I am currently sitting in my childhood backyard on a gorgeous California summer day reminiscing over the past couple months. (I apologize for my lack of updates- I was adjusting to the idea of being an actual adult.)  Since I last wrote, I have graduated with a bachelors degree in Business Administration and a degree in Political Science.

Graduation Day

Featured Fashion: Red Wedges

After graduation I drove across the country to spend the summer in California. We spent some time in Nashville, OKC, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas. I drove with my mom, and I must say it was a great trip and helped me transition from the college mindset to the "Holy Shit My Life is Starting" mindset.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Las Vegas, Nevada

Overlook in Arizona

Arizona Border 

I have closed a four year chapter of my life. It is remarkable and terrifying to think that I am no longer a student; 18 years of scholastic pursuits have ended. While I know that I will never stop learning, my path is now completely unstructured and infinite in its possibilities. Next month I will move into an apartment across the country and start to work in marketing. Whenever you arrive at a big milestone in life I think it is important to take some time for introspection and reflection.  I'm a big believer in the idea that you cannot go forward without first understanding what proceeded.

As you may have noticed, the quote at the start of this post is a Peter Pan quote. The film, Finding Neverland, was just playing and completely engrossed me. For the first time in my life J.M. Barrie's story of a boy that refuses to grow up really resonated with me. Obviously I don't have a choice in terms of growing up. However, I do have a choice in how I will do that. I think the big takeaway from Mr. Barrie is the idea that despite the inevitability of growing up it is possible to retain the wonder, curiosity, and imagination of childhood. The weight of maturity, responsibility, and adulthood should be offset with dreams, magic, and the impossible.

So as I start the next stage of my life that is what I will be focusing on.

"Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice anything else for it". -J.M. Barrie

Cheers!

Spring Fashion Updates

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."- Coco Chanel

Now that it is finally starting to show signs of it actually being Spring, I've started to retire some of my winter staples in favor of some spring-y alternatives. Disclaimer: I love clothes, but I wouldn't consider myself super fashionable or pulled together. Although I really love experimenting and finding new pieces.

There are three major trends I am focusing on this spring. 

Three Trends:

• High Low Hemline
• Lace Detailing
• Cut Outs/Low Back

I also love being able to wear clothes I already own. Last summer I jumped right on the high-low hemline trend. Maybe it is because I'm tall so skirts and dresses rarely are long enough and the low hem was perfect for me, or maybe it is because I liked to twirl around in them--regardless, this trend is still going strong. Which makes me very happy.

I get to continue to wear two of my favorite dresses this spring!

High-Low Dress

High-Low Dress

Featured Fashion (a lot of the original pieces are no longer in stock, but here are some great substitutes): Fedora, Brown Braided Belt, Strappy Sandals, My Denim Jacket, Black Flats, Floral High-Low Dress, My Red Dress

Another trend that I am completely on board with is lace. I own lace skirts, dresses, shirts, and shorts and I am still buying more and more lace pieces. I love how it can be so feminine, but if you dress it with leather, it immediately takes on a much  more rock and roll vibe.

My favorite lace skirt

Featured Fashion: Chambray Shirt, Lace Skirt, Lace Shorts

The third trend I am obsessed with is cut outs. I love the subtle peek of unexpected skin. It's a great way to show off a tan without freezing. I have recently bought a ton of clothes with some unique detailing.

Basically I've bought the majority of Urban Outfitters dresses with cut outs. Check them out here: Dresses.

Get ready for the warmth!

Cheers X

Chicken & Avocado Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

"Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti"- Sophia Loren 

Growing up in California, I was exposed to some of the freshest produce around, especially avocados. My mom and most of my closest friends were all avocado addicts, but something about them freaked me out... I think they were too green with an odd creamy texture that just threw me. However, during my freshman year of college a friend of mine forced me to eat an avocado. Since then I have become the biggest advocate of avocados. I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate avocados into my diet (smoothies, grilled cheese, etc.) because they are so ridiculously good for you. 

 A couple months ago, I came across a recipe for an avocado pasta that I had to try. With a few minor tweaks and additions avocado pasta is now one of my favorite recipes. You all need to try this, you won't be disappointed. 

And honestly, what Italian inspired meal is complete without garlic bread? 

Avocado Spaghetti:

What You Need: 

• 1/2 pound spaghetti 
• 1.5 ripe avocados 
• 1 spoonful of lemon juice 
• 1 spoonful of lime juice
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil 
• 2 tablespoon of pesto
• 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend
• red pepper flakes for seasoning
• chicken breast 

How to Make:

• Cook your spaghetti until done
• Cook your chicken on medium heat seasoned with garlic and lemon 
• Blend the peeled avocado with the olive oil, garlic, lemon/lime juice, and pesto until smooth

 

• Coat the spaghetti with the avocado mixture and season to taste with cheese and red pepper flakes

Garlic Bread

What You Need:

• French or Italian loaf of bread cut horizontally 
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 4 cloves of diced garlic
• 2 tbsp of parsley
• 1/4 cup of italian cheese blend (I use fontina, parmesan, and mozzarella) 

How to Make:

• soften your butter and mix in the garlic and parsley
• cover your bread in the butter mixture

• preheat your oven to 350 degrees
• cook the bread in the oven for 10 minutes
• sprinkle the cheese over the bread and cook for another 5 minutes (wait for the cheese to start to bubble and the edges of the bread to darken)

• Let it cool, cut it up, and serve 

Enjoy!

Cheers X