I recently bought boots from Franco Sarto that I am absolutely obsessed with. I've always wanted half black and half brown boots, I feel like they look fantastic with everything. I have to say I've definitely been dreaming of spring, but hopefully I'll get to wear these babies quite a bit before the snow starts to melt. Here are some dream outfits that I would love to wear them with:
Normally I'm not a huge print girl, but lately I've been seeing alot of Tortoise Shell, and I'm mildly obsessed. Its subtle enough to wear with everything, but funky enough to make a statement. I'm on the hunt for some new accessories and Tortise will definitely be on the brain.
Hello world! Today was the first day of classes for us Lorenzo students. And that means no more parading around Firenze, and no bed time. Though it's a bit of a bummer, I'm excited to begin my classes (today with Wine tasting and Italian), and also to establish a routine and kick the jetlag for good. I made sure to wake up earlier than usual today to give myself plenty of time to navigate. I've pretty much been travelling in groups so far, so having to locate my class was definitely a daunting task. In The other tricky part is the fact that there really is no "campus". The classes are scattered among the city in various unassuming buildings. I ended up getting a touch turned around to my 9 o'clock class, but I still ended up there early. #nerdproblems. Just take a quick left at the Louis Vuitton and you're there. Hit Gucci and Bvulgari and you've gone too far. Tough life I lead over here :).
This class, intensive elementary Italian, had only about ten students, only two of which are boys. Our professor started the class with a bang, refusing to speak anything but italian. Actually, she admitted she doesn't know that much english at all. None the less, I think I learned more italian in that one class than I had in my whole week here. Hay una Domanda. I have a question. Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei....you get the picture.
After class I took the long way home, and again, felt a huge sense of "independence" that I've been blabbering about lately.
Fact: This building will never cease to amaze me.
a little nautical inspiration here in italia
After a solo trip taking in the sights I met up with Michelle to get our daily Caffe Latte...My new obsession. So so delicious...I dare say maybe maybe better than Dunkins........
.....Then again probably not.
After the quick trip to the market for our coffees, I was off to find my wine tasting class. The professor couldn't be any older than 35, complete with a triangle goatee, earrings and sweatpants (which were tucked into his socks and sneakers). He's so obviously interested and informed about italy's wines and the history that is so deeply embedded into their creation. But he seemed to say whatever crossed his mind which made it hard for me to follow. Let me paint the picture: He poured us a red moscato to try. While explaining that moscato is sweet because the fermentation process is stopped early, preserving some of the sugars from the grapes before they turn to alcohol, he went on a tangent about how some of the best wines in the world "smells-eh like-eh cat p-ees and tast-eh like chicken sh-eet". Hilarious yes, my learning style, no.
We tried a white wine called "Gavi di Gavi" and three reds called "Barbera D'Alba 'Ruvei", "Dolcetto D'alba" and "Brachetto D'Acqui", respectively. My rebel without a cause teacher gave a bit of history about each one, intertwined with anecdotes of his own, including how he doesn't know everything about wine, he's taking courses to increase his own knowledge, but he doesn't drink all the wine because he might fall off his motorbike.
Later Colleen and Kelli found a fabulous cafe that served five euro salads and sandwiches called "Antica Sosta Degli Aldobranidi" while I ran around trying to complete my permit to stay. As if the visa process wasn't enough, we had to gather a whole additional slue of documents and dish out another 150 euro to obtain. Rude. I also had the experience of going to the print center, which made me realize how much I missed having my own personal printer. Regardless, my salad was to die for, and definitely a spot I'm sure we will frequent regularly.
In this powerhouse salad: eggplant, zucchini, mozzarella, tomatoes,peppers, lettuce and pesto.
We then walked around the outdoor markets, looking for jackets and bags. I am dying to get a jacket. One of the vendors even lit one on fire to show that it was real leather.
We also purchased our masks for Carnivale in Venice this weekend. I have pictures of me in that too, but I think I'll make it a surprise :) When we arrived home I took a nice long nap and chilled for the rest of the night. Big plans for the rest of this week. I also think I'm starting to get sick, so definitely going to try to take it easy until then.
If you ask me, this is a must do. Adding some shimmer to an outfit is a great way to stand out, while still looking girly and put together. Go full out in a sequin dress, or take it easy and paint your nails with glittery polish .Deborah Lippman's "Cleopatra in New York" (below) would look amazing paired with an LBD.
This is a big one. Every year I make lofty New Year's resolutions, and by the time Valentine's day rolls around they are a distant memory. Here are some ways to make sure you stick to them:
Hold yourself accountable. This is the best way to stay on target. Tell your friends. Tell your boyfriend. Tell your dog. Whatever works, telling someone your resolutions will make them more real, and will make you more apt to catch yourself when you begin to go astray.
Make goals that are attainable. If you aren't realistic about what you want to do, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. If you're reaching for a huge goal, make a road map for yourself. Set a series of checkpoints along the way to see how far you've come (preferably written in a super cute planner like this one:)
By Sarah Pinto ($19.95)
And once you reach your checkpoints, don't forget to celebrate them!
I've been drooling at the office over all of the adorable New Year party ideas I've seen lately.
http://catchmyparty.com/blog http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/12/30/new-years-eve-tequila-punch-recipe http://www.brit.co/winter-party-decor/ http://www.theprettyblog.com/2012/12/new-years-resolution-printable-calendar/
New Years is an awesome to get together with friends and family and let loose a little. And nothing speeds that process along like a good ol' cocktail. Now, if you're in college and on a budget, Natty L's may seem like a more plausible solution. However, if you're working on break, play bartender for a while and maybe try out some of these awesome ideas:
The first way to sip in style is to create and awesome bar. Make an adorable bubbly backdrop for a champagne bar this year, like below. The pearly pastels look fantastic, and celebrate new year's signature libation. Find out how to recreate this look here. If entertaining on New Year's eve seems too daunting, have friends over on New Year's day and set up a Mimosa bar, like catch my party did. A few bottles of champagne and a couple of juices and you're good to go. You could also stick to the classic, by using metallics, items of varying heights and uniform glassware.
Images Via Pinterest
or you could try out some festive cocktails like these:
1. Southern Comfort Punch by Martha Stewart--Super easy...and who doesn't love soco every every now and again!
2.Nerds Martini--the Nerds are so colorful and cute, great way to bring in the new year!
3. Orange Pom Fizz--OBSESSED with the gorgeous pink color, and colorful sanding sugar
4. This one is just plain old champagne, but the rim of the glass makes it look much more sophisticated (and pretty!)
Still recovering from the fabulousness that was the Victoria's Secret Fashion show. I really wish I didn't look forward to it so much every year, but it really is wonderful. I also have a huge crush on Adriana Lima, so that certainly doesn't help my cause. I always feel guilty watching it because it is just a huge advertising ploy. Not to mention the fact that the women are actually perfect, and no matter how many Heismans I rock out during insanity, my legs will never be that long. Nevertheless, the fashion show means that Christmas time is here.
My favorite "theme" during the show was the circus theme. My roomies and I were a circus theme for halloween, so I definitely felt a little nostalgic during that section.
The Resemblance is uncanny, right?
These are some of my favorite outfits from the circus section:
Then came the "calendar girls" section.....love love love LOVE.
Just as a side note, the November native american wasn't aired because people were offended. My personal favorite was April, in the upper right corner. Cutie patootie boots!
Of course the show was more than pretty ladies, Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Bieber of course killed it. Although I'm pretty upset with Rihanna's outfit choices. She is so gorgeous and she was looking a little freaky last night. She's famous enough at this point where she can dress however she wants, but the 90's style sweatshirt around the waist and the pearl lady gaga glasses just didn't do it for me.
BIEBER on the other hand...Initially, I didn't understand the whole fascination with him. As a preteen, maybe I could see it. But now that he's a little more grown, my oh my. I watched the start of his documentary, and seeing him play the drums made me melt a little bit. And my boyfriend has a man crush on him to boot, so he's definitely growing on me. MOST importantly, however, HE HAS AN OWL TATTOO. Soooooo my Chi Omega nerd side gives him a check plus as well...Check it out!
