Italia 09!

Hi my dears! Remember my trip to Italy two weeks ago? I had such a great time in each city, they were all so different. Milan was glamorous and a total shopping heaven; Florence, a lovely little city with incredible architectural wonders (the Duomo and Palazzo Medici to name a few) and amazing leather goods; Rome dazzled me with its metropolitan energy and rich history (the Colosseum and Roman ruins were breathtaking!); and Venice was magical. Here are a few of pictures of the whirlwind week!

Milan



Florence




Rome




Venice






More Italia pics over at my flickr! :)

boots, come to mama

Oh, oh, yes. We Who See Notte Boot. I'll take one, please. It's hard to be mad at Urban Outfitters for too long. (Via here)

PS: Three-year-old Suri Cruise in heels! Do or don't?

google-obsessed!

No, but seriously, how heartwarming is this Google ad? Love how a story can be so enriched by music. (Via Cup of Jo)



See more amazing Google ads here!

glowy skin = boscia!

We've talked about face wash, deodorant, and our favorite under $10 products, so it's only natural to discuss face cream! For me, I'm all about Boscia. I first heard of this incredible Japanese brand at Sephora last year and cannot tell you how much I love its products. Boscia is preservative-free, chemical-free and absolutely purifying for your skin. I have combination skin, so the oil-free daily hydration and toner were right up my alley. Light, gentle, and perfect for night -- I'm a customer for life!

have a happy thanksgiving

This picture makes me feel warm and happy. And isn't that what Thanksgiving is about? (Via Ruby PR)

Even though I'm in Prague (where people don't celebrate Thanksgiving), I have so much to be thankful for. Here's just a few reasons:

1. Friends here in NYU in Prague who are as fanatical about Thanksgiving as I am! We had the most scrumptious potluck dinner, and I am still stuffed!
2. My family who are 134156 miles away... but I always feel close to them. Thank goodness for technology! (I loooove skype.)
3. My amazing friends from home and New York. Thank you so much for being part of my life. You are all over the globe right now, studying abroad like me. And I'm so glad that we are always present in each others' lives.
4. Prague. It's sometimes emotionally and physically hard to live here. But I am never one to shrink from the challenge! I've learned so much, grown so much. Thank you, Prague, for that.
5. Food! I just had delicious turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, you name it. I am just in food heaven!

Hope you all have a terrific Thanksgiving! Kisses from Prague. :)

SELF (in b&w)

reminded of this, inspired by that

mexi-coma

Oh my god. I just had the most incredible Mexican food of my life, and in Prague of all places! Tonight, I took my friend Liz, who's visiting me from Milan, to a new Mexican restaurant that just opened last month. We had tasty mojitos, spicy enchiladas and quesadillas, and delicious strawberries in wine. Good food just makes me so happy! :)

"don't talk to me, I'm busy..."

This is what I do in between classes. Just looking, of course. But OMG those pumps! (via Marc Jacobs @ ideeli)

bib necklaces

I'm sure there's a more elegant name for them, but I just can't stop calling them bibs! I think they're so fun and outrageous. (Have you seen the reverse bib necklace?) They even inspired me to attempt a DIY jewelry project. But I think I'd be happier with the real deal. (Photo via J.Crew)

sometimes a girl just needs...

via ruby pr

A large hunk of a chocolate! Totally craving some, it's been stressful catching up to real life in Prague, post-Italy. This weekend, I'm hosting three friends from NYU in my cozy little room (it'll be a total slumber party), devoting time to sleep and classwork, and hopefully seeing Swan Lake! With less than a month here in Prague, I still feel like there's so much to do...

europa

thank you,
but I don't need
a receipt or a picture

just give me more
time -- to think things
through / leave things be

'cause all my toys & ambitions,
are reframed inside your compass
that I've finally unfogged

and I'd trade a car for the world,
wrap it in my arms
like a lonely planet child

and maybe even life with them & theirs
for something new, unused & unknown
to my natural, domestic instinct

because I'm unnaturally, uncannily
drawn to you, europa, so thank you,

but I don't need
a receipt or a picture.

buona sera

photo via m. dash

Oh my goodness, Italy makes me think about fashion 24/7! Especially leather goods, which are sold basically on every street. And guess what? I finally bought a leather jacket (and there's a funny story behind it -- Italian salesmen are adorable). I had a great time in Milan and Florence... heading to Rome tomorrow morning. Talk soon, xoxo

ciao bella!

venice via flickr

My dears, I'm off for my special week in Italy! I've never been, but I hear it is stunning! I'm super excited to meet up with my best friends and make a fabulous trip of Milan, Florence, Rome, and Venice. Off to the airport in a few minutes... see you in a week! xo

pretty bras

Sometimes, I have silly daydreams about my "fantasy jobs" -- you know, jobs like ice cream taster or tea maker. My favorite is lingerie designer! How fun it must be to design beautiful undergarments that make women happy! I mean, don't you just perk right up (no pun intended) when you see pretty bras like these? Definitely makes me happy. What's your fantasy job?

photos via Journelle

street style crushes

via Refinery 29

Oh my gosh, can we talk about how much I am in love with these two NYC street style looks?! I adore the combination of carefree and loose with polished and structured. Scruffy boots + Oversized blazer and leather clutch? Fab. Fitted leather jacket + Ripped up boyfriend jeans? Double fab. Get me back to NYC!!!

Barcelona, I miss you

I finally took the time to blog all about my incredible four days in Barcelona. I want to go back! It was my favorite part of fall break. Warm weather, tapas, sangria -- what is there not to love? Check out my Barcelona posts here.

pretty soap packaging

These Beekman 1802 A Year In The Country scented soaps from Anthropologie look a lot like candies! They're so little and adorable. Each of the twelve soaps in the set represent a different month and capture a different fragrance for each season. See the full descriptions here. Aren't they cute?

flowers and berries

Two photos of things in bloom. The first, I took in Antibes, a sweet town in the South of France. The next one is from Kutna Hora, which is right here in the Czech Republic! Oh, I'm ready for Spring already! I miss color -- winter is sometimes too dreary.

verseau vintage

Morning my loverlies! I just stumbled across the most delicious Etsy shop, Verseau Vintage. Everything is so adorable and totally affordable -- made my heart beat a little too fast! I'm forbidden from purchasing because of my traveling expenses while abroad, but pretend shopping is just as fun, right? My favorites are...

Gold Beaded Evening Bag


80's Striped Colorblock Cardigan (looks comfy!)


Metallic Boho Wedge Shoes (in exactly my size!)

Happy shopping! I'm jealous. :)

femme

via need supply

I usually like my clothes dark and structured ('cause it's hard to wear a potato sack when you're vertically challenged!), but this dress looks super sweet even to me. Would you wear it? Who's ready for warm weather already?!

halloween memories

I spent this Halloween in London with my best friend -- it was the end of my backpacking trip, and I was pooped! We had Indian food and talked for hours, just like old times. I loved finally seeing her... but I definitely missed how huge Halloween in NYC usually is. The Village Halloween Parade, everyone in costume on the streets, it's a great time to be in New York City!

Last year, I was a pirate girl. My roommates (two flowers and a football player!) and I loved getting ready for the parade and seeing all the cool costumes. (This roller-coastering duo was my favorite.) I can't wait to catch up on all of your Halloween stories this year! :)

Halloween, 2008

chilly cute

My dears, can you believe it's November already?! I just got back from my 10 day fall break. So many stories to tell you! In the meantime, stay warm. Temperatures are below zero in Prague this week. I hope you're all wrapped up like me! Some mitten love from Kate Spade to keep the chill away: