Cinque Terre (A must-see spot)

  Cinque Terre--with its meaning being '5 Earths,' this name could not be more perfect for a place that seems too beautiful and perfect to be real life. Before coming to Italy, I have seen many photos of this picturesque area, all of which made me dream about being able to experience this fairy tale land called Cinque Terre. Let me tell you, it was just as beautiful (if not more beautiful) in person, as it is described to be. Although each of the towns possess their own unique attributes, they all contain clusters of cute, colorful homes and the clearest blue waters that make you just want to dive right into them.

Welcome to Firenze!

Welcome to my new home for the next few months! It still seems surreal to me that I am actually currently breathing, living and eating in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and that I get to do it for the whole school semester! Although this is only my second week being here, I can already see why people stress what a great opportunity it is to study abroad in a foreign country/city. This is my first time ever being in Europe, and even by the first day of being here, I was in such amazement by the beauty that this city brings, along with the rich culture and lifestyle that the Florentines have preserved for so many years.  I have had high expectations for this city from the start, from hearing positive reviews and stories from friends and family who have traveled here before. But, being able to experience all of that firsthand is truly an incredible experience!

Seaside Happiness

As soon as the weather hits 65 degrees and above, I instantly have the need to spend as much time as possible outdoors, preferably by the water.  There is just something so relaxing about breathing in fresh salt water, and listening to the motion of the calming seas. For me, this is always the best way to clear my head and to instantly boost my mood. Last year, my mom and I started a tradition of visiting a new nearby town and just taking time to explore and walk around it. We both agreed that this town pictured above, Northport, was our favorite one that we visited. It has a cute, quaint town-feel to it, along with the charm of the water-front view.

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

This past Saturday, my friend and I visited the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens for the first time, in celebration of my birthday. If you have never been here before, I highly recommend making a trip there; it is definitely worth it! The amount of beauty and happiness present in one place was truly amazing and breathtaking.

Let Spring be Sprung

I usually look to the transitioning of seasons as a time to start fresh and try to remove most negative thoughts or anything that may be holding you back from being 100% happy. For me, Springtime really seems to be the ultimate time to do this. Just as the flowers start to bloom and everything begins to look a little brighter, you yourself can do the same.

My Cozy Winter Essentials

Hat: Michael Kors via Bloomingdales; Scarf: Aerie: Sweater: The Loft; Coat: Express via Marshall's: Jeans: The Gap; Shoes: Marshall's

With the blistering cold weather outside, how nice does it sound to snuggle up on your couch with a soft, warm blanket, drinking your favorite cup of hot tea?  As wonderful as this is, we still have to go on with our everyday activities, which involves stepping outside and fighting against the cold. That is why it is so necessary to invest in a few really warm pieces that make you excited to be outside and pretend that "the cold doesn't bother you anyway."

I have to say that before I received this scarf from my sister as Christmas gift, I was not a huge fan of wearing scarves, because I always found them uncomfortable or suffocating for some reason. However, the second I took this gem out of the box, I haven't stopped wearing it since. It is the most comfortable thing I have ever lay my hands on, not to mention the warmth that it provides you with.  I would wear it with every outfit if I could, just because I love it so much. My mom has even borrowed it a few times and really wants one for herself. Unfortunately, The scarf is now sold out online and in most stores. I hope Aerie re-stocks them so you can all get one and experience it for yourselves. This hat is another very cozy accessory, that I find myself unable to leave the house without. To complete the look, I threw on my fuzzy  black coat that is perfect for this time of year.

A Pop of Stripe

Dress: French connection via TJ Maxx;Vest:Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx; Boots: Tommy Hilfiger

When discussing a particular outfit, I am sure that you have come across the term "pop of color" at some point. It is a phrase that is commonly used to describe a seemingly monochromatic outfit, with the addition of one singular piece containing a color that stands out, or "pops out", if you will.

With that being said, the same can hold true for a print/pattern contained in a particular piece within your outfit. That is where my title for this post comes in- "A Pop of Stripe." Being that the primary color in this particular outfit is black, I wanted to add an element to liven it up a bit, so that it wasn't too boring for my taste. Since I do not wear stripes too often, I wanted to keep the remainder of the outfit fairly simple,  instead of mixing and matching prints/patterns, which some people like to play around with.

So, next time you are picking out your outfit for the day, choose a pop of print or pattern in order to add some excitement to your look!

Post-Holiday Season

 Pajamas: Ralph Lauren via Macy's, Mug: Anthropologie, Earrings:Giani Bernini via Macy's

If you love the holiday season just as much as I do, you must know the slight sadness that comes right after it is over.  The entire month of December is always so exciting for me and much anticipated the 11 months prior to which. The second I see the festive window displays at every retail store in NYC, my whole mood is turned around.  Everyone just seems to be in a jollier mood and suddenly, some (not all), of your worries fade away. This season only comes once a year and it never fails to fly by, so I have learned to cherish it and enjoy it as much as possible-even after it is over.

We can all agree that the week after Christmas is a pretty fun time as well, because it is when we get to use our new gifts. I always like to take this time to relax as much as possible, and to really sneak in those last seconds of the holiday season as I can. What better way to do this than to slip on your new comfy pair of pajamas, sip a warm cup of tea, and read a new book under the still lit tree? The answer is..it doesn't get much better than this!