Black Friday Haul!

It's been a while! But I'm finally back. I just finished my last quarter of school- can't wait to get my degree in the mail! Anyways, I decided to go out for Black Friday shopping. I didn't really want to go but as tradition would serve- me and my cousin always go out just to see the deals. 

In the first picture, I bought this beautiful geometric garland from target! It's so pretty I hung it over my bed post. It has hints of gold and copper. It's a little chunky so it bothers my head from time to time when I lean back but other than that- I'm in love with it! I think it was only like $12- a good steal! The beanie and plaid scarf on the bottom picture is also from target. They were 40%- how can I not? 

I also got a couple of things from Pacsun. I haven't shopped in pacsun in sooo long! I think the last time I bought something from that store was back in high school. I didn't even know they carried Brandy Melville stuff! They were offering buy one get one half off and of course I couldn't resist snatching some brandy shirts! They're so soft and comfortable- I actually wish I bought more! The plaid shirt on the left was on sale for $15. What a total score! I've been on the hunt for plaid since it's winter but everywhere I've seen them- they're ridiculously expensive. I'm so glad I was able to get my hands on one! 

And that's all I got this black Friday!

x 

Endless Pasta, I adore you!

Cinque Terre, Italy

Endless pasta, cobble stones and little roads- Italy was a dream! 

Hey guys!! I just got back from Italy a few days ago and I'm already missing it! I had such a lovely time- I wish I could live in Florence forever! Let's start with how I even got there. About 4 months ago, I was kind of in a rut. I felt like I just needed to do something fun and exciting. So I poked around the Internet and I remember hearing about EF College Break from the commercials on Spotify so I decided to look it up. 

I browsed around their website and found an awesome deal on their Grand Tour of Italy trip! I took a chance and booked it. I booked as a solo traveler and believe me- I've never been so brave in my life. I've never traveled alone to another country before! I was complete terrified but I also really felt exhilarated. Fast forward 4 months and here I was ready to leave on a trip I never thought I'd be going on! 

Traveling there was exhausting due to the 2 connection flights but once I got on ground, I was glad to be there! Throughout my trip I had three roommates and became friends with a girl from NY who was also traveling alone! Majority of my group had friends traveling together so it was nice to meet someone who was also alone. It definitely made my experience better! 

My trip was 12 days long, the first and last day were for traveling so technically I only had 10 official days in Italy and I made the most of it! We traveled from Sorrento/Naples-Rome-Florence and finished off in Venice! 

Sorrento/Naples/Capri/Siena

This is the ultimate sunny side of Italy. I'm not exactly sure where we were but it was very bright and had a total seaside vibe to it. It was a gorgeous town. We took a boat ride to Capri and the sea was endless. It was so cute there! They had this little beach area where people could swim. I dipped my foot in- I want to say it was lovely but it really wasn't. Hahah. There were so many rocks there that I was scared to cut my foot on it! I treaded gingerly like a baby learning to walk for the first time on it! Now I know why people there had swim shoes on! 

Rome

Oh Roma, now this is the place of walking! We literally walked EVERYWHERE. Everything was kind of walking distance so taking a taxi didn't make too much sense. We went to Pompeii, the colosseum, trevi fountain, the spanish steps, THE VATICAN! Any famous place you can think of! I was stunned of culture shock. I couldn't believe the ground I was walking on! I stood right underneath Michael-Angelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel for about 10 minutes trying not to die from the sheer beauty of it. I threw my coin in the Trevi Fountain (and of course I forgot to make my wish!) and I walked around the Colosseum where the emperor would walk- someone please pinch me. Rome was hectic because there was so much to see with so little time. 

Florence

I could have stayed in Florence forever! It was definitely not as hectic as Rome. Florence had such a charm to it that you can instantly feel. It made me really enjoy just being there. Everything wasn't as far as a walk and it was so nice to go into the museums there. I can't quite explain it, but Florence was my favorite place we visited! Plus we also stayed in a hostel there which was extremely fun! It had a nice bar downstairs where you can get drinks and mingle with other travelers. 

Venice

I always wanted to visit Venice. Knowing that it might not be there and the reality of it being swept under water is crazy! When we were there, it was high tide so the water was extremely close to ground. You can see it in my picture below! Venice had so many tight little ally ways and small streets- it was fun to get lost in. 

I definitely want to go back to Italy one day but for now.. onto the next adventure! 

x 

linda

—

I took about a million pictures so I'm just going to post my favorite ones I took! 

Trevi Fountain

Panna Cotta Gelato 

Venice, Italy

Gondola Ride in Venice, Italy

Tiramisu! 

The yummiest squid ink pasta on earth!

Venice, Italy

Fresh Pesto Pasta- Cinque Terre, Italy

Venice, Italy

Florence, Italy

Shrimp and Veg Risotto - Sorrento, Italy

Colosseum- Rome, Italy

Painter on the street- Rome, Italy

Pantheon- Rome, Italy

Margarita Pizza- Florence, Italy

The Vatican

Colosseum

Ice Bar- Rome, Italy

Until next time.. Ciao! 

x

Things I Wish I Knew- Surviving Vegas

We're back at it again with my "Things I wish I knew" series! I was having a hard time deciding what to write about and since I just turned 22, I reminisced about what I did for my 21st. Thinking back to my 21st birthday in Vegas, I realized that there were a lot of things I wish I knew ahead of time so I thought it would be a great addition to my series.

Going to Vegas for your 21st birthday is kind of like a right of passage in the U.S. Basically it's an excuse to go get shitfaced and party your ass off. Getting lost in the glitz and glamour is all part of the Vegas charm. Here are some tips I suggest if you're ever heading over there!

1. Have a good meal.
The whole weekend will go by and you'll realize that you only had one meal the entire time. Take the time to actually get some food in your belly. It'll definitely help with the massive hangover you're about to take on. If you can't hit the endless buffets, check out one of Gordan Ramsay's restaurants. It's worth the trip!

2. Speaking of hangover..
Drink lots and lots of water! The weather is insanely hot, especially in the summer- don't be fool trying to act cool at the day club. The deadly combo of alcohol+hot sun-water = you not getting out of bed.

3. Have a promoter handy
It's hard to get into clubs without a promoter in Vegas.

4. Budget yourself!
It's extremely tempting to spend loads of cash in Vegas. Your dolla bills will be gone in seconds so watch yourself! Those slot machines are evil. Once you're kind of buzz, you'll want to keep buying drinks so save yourself and only bring a certain amount of cash with you.

5. Heels are the worst 

Target.com

I know those stilettos are super cute but you'll die in them if you go clubbing with them. There's absolutely no way you'll survive the night- let alone 2 hours dancing in those. The bloodstains are real people. The blisters are no joke. No bandaid in the world will help you. If you know you're going to be dancing your ass off, I advise you to get some wedges but if you're like me and kind of hate the look of wedges.. I would get platforms like the one above. Don't be that girl who walks barefoot back to your hotel. It's not cute and it's a bit sad. Don't be that girl! The floor is disgusting! Keep a pair of small foldable flats in your purse/clutch.

6. Don't waste your time seeing a super popular DJ. 
I went to go see Zedd perform at XS and it was basically the worst night ever. It was insanely crowded! It took us 30 mins to get to the bar and the dance floor was closed off. We ended up sitting around the pool and we couldn't even see Zedd from where we were. Save yourself the few bucks and go to a smaller club. It'll be more fun with a smaller crowd and less crowded bar.

7. Don't wear a black outfit
There are literally thousands of other girls wearing the exact same color. Set yourself apart and wear something colorful like a red or blue dress. If you're brave enough- a white one.

Lulu's 

8. Experience it all 

Don't just drink and go to the club all weekend. Go catch one of Vegas's popular shows! There are tons of concerts and shows you can see. If you don't want to see a show, walk around the strip and casinos. At Caesar's palace there's a huge mall that you can walk around and shop in. 

And.. that's all the advice I can think of! Good luck to you- have fun and be safe! 

Until next time..

x 

Missing the obvious

Traveling can be extremely daunting especially if you're traveling alone or going somewhere new for the first time! I've been traveling a lot this summer (new posts coming soon!) and I realized that I've missed A LOT of the obvious travel tips that people don't normally share and I thought that probably majority of us have miss this too! I've separated this according to the travel styles I experienced this summer. 

Airport / Airplane

1. Don't put your charger in your checked in baggage! 

You'll definitely regret this especially if you have your boarding pass on your smartphone. You won't realize how quickly your phone dies until you're almost dead. You'll be trying to pass time by being on your phone and before you know it, you're down to 30%. Always bring a charger with you in your personal bag or carry-on! 

2. Bring snacks 

This feels like a no brainer- but honestly, we forget most of the time. You don't want to spend $6 getting a protein bar and some chips at the airport. Trust me. It's not worth it. Bring your own snacks and save yourself a few bucks. Also they're super handy during 3-5 hour flights. 

3. Have a pair of headphones

A lot of airlines have entertainment on their planes but they don't always provide you with headphones. Be sure to bring your own so you can enjoy what they have to offer! 

4. Do not overpack your carry-on 

If you're a girl, DO NOT overpack your carry on luggage. It's a total hassle to shove it in the compartment above your head. If you overpack, it's extremely heavy and annoying to lug around. Travel lightly! You don't want to bother other people to help you lift it! For some reason, people in airplanes are super cranky. 

5. Have your ID and Boarding pass in hand

Have your ID and boarding pass out while checking in your luggage and for TSA. It's a trivial tip but it's important. You don't want to stand there awkwardly digging into your bag for it. Save yourself time and have it ready. 

6. TSA

Make sure you're wearing shoes that are easy to slip on and off. This will help make your experience much faster. You can wear tennis shoes.. but make sure the laces are loose enough to slip offAlso, try avoid wearing anything with metal! 

7. Find your gate, then do your business 

There are a million different gates and signs at the airport. It can be super confusing so make sure you find your gate number before you head off to the restroom or snack bar. 

8. Figure out how you're going to get there and who is picking you up. 

Don't wait last minute to find someone to give you a ride to the airport. A lot of flights are during the weekdays and many people have work. Plan ahead! Also figure out what you're going to do when you land. Is someone picking you up? Download Lyft and Uber as a backup just in case if your ride backs out. 

9. Be sure to check in! 

A lot of airlines let you check in by mobile phones now. Be sure to check your email 24hours before your flight! 

10. Print your boarding pass!

Nowadays, you can put your boarding pass on your smartphone but it's always good to have a backup. My phone was being super weird and glitchy right when I got to the airport and believe me.. I panicked! So I definitely recommend printing! 

Car Rides / Road Trips

1.  Bring a pillow! 

You'll be snoozing a lot during the ride so be sure to have something comfy to lean on! 

2.  Wear socks

We all know you're going to take off your shoes so keep them toes warm with some comfy socks! 

3. Bring snacks 

It'll be a while till you actually stop for gas so stock up on snacks to cure your hunger on the road.. my favorite is a tube of pringles! 

4. Have car games ready

You'll be in the car for a long time and most likely you won't get reception or your battery will die on your cellphone so play some fun games with your car mates! One game I played with my friends is "entertainment" (I couldn't remember the name so I renamed it :P ) How you play is one person names an Actor and the next person has to say a movie/show they were in- then the next person has to name someone else from that movie and the next person has to name a movie they were in. It gets fun! 

5. Download a podcast or playlist. 

Most likely you won't get reception so have something that's already on your phone. Podcasts are fun to listen to! I've been listening to the Nerdist podcast. They have a lot of celebrities and musicians that come on the podcast and it's pretty much candid. You get to hear them in a super casual environment and it makes them seem more down to earth. 

And.. That's all the tips I can think of now! If I missed any, feel free to comment below! 

Until next time 

x 

July Favorites

It's been a while since I've done one of these! I don't know how some people have new favorites like every single month! It's taken me forever to get these few items. Anyways, let's jump straight to it! 

Argan Oil of Morocco conditioner 

Holy chessus, this conditioner smells freaking amazing. I don't know what it is, but it has a very clean floral scent that I am crazy for. Not only does it smell great, it makes my hair feel incredible! Now, I'm not one to splurge on shampoo and conditioner cause I feel like my regular ones get the job done, but this- I'm willing to splurge. It definitely made a difference in my hair! It's like silky and smooth.

Bumble and bumble Invisible oil

I recently went to go get my hair cut by the lovely people over at Carlton Hair and as usual, I left the salon with less hair, less money and a hair product they recommended. Last time it was the bumble and bumble dry spun, now it's the invisible oil. Usually my hair gets tangly and a bit dry from the heat of my curling iron so this invisible oil is like a genie in a bottle. This oil helps detangle hair- ya! For reals! AND it's a heat protectant.. at least that's what my stylist told me. It's great because I can just spritz this in my wet hair and it does all the work for me. I am loving this product! 

Warby Parker Glasses

I've been seeing commercials and sponsors from this company all over the place so I decided to give them a try. First I tried their free 5 day trial pairs where you can pick 5 different styles and try them on at home to see which one suits your style. I'm pretty picky about my glasses because I always feel like such a huge dork in them, but I finally found a pair that I really like! I'm still super self cautious when I wear glasses, but with these.. not as a much! 

Pantene Dry Shampoo

I've been on the search for something to replace my dove dry shampoo because I hate the smell of it. I finally found what I've been looking for! The dry shampoo from Pantene smells incredible and it also makes my second day hair look fresh. It also gives me a ton of volume and bounce. I totally bought this on a whim and I'm so glad it worked out. 

Bath and Body works Honeysuckle Bouquet 

Honeysuckle is my absolute favorite scent. Anything with honeysuckle, I LOVE- so when one of my friends got this candle for me as a graduation gift, I pretty much squealed. I already had the mini one, and getting the larger one was just icing. I've been burning it almost every night! 

I feel like I talked a lot about scents and smells in this post! Sorry, not sorry. Until next time!

x 

"Impossibility is just a kiss away from reality"- Sense8

So.. after binge watching for 2 days, I have finished season one of Sense8! HOLY BOLOGNA. If you don't know what sense8 is, sense8 is a new Netflix Original series that just recently came out around June/July. It's about 8 different people who are all connected to one another. It's a bit complicated to explain so I suggest watching the trailer.

I find the idea of human transcendence so intriguing -it breaks down that wall in us about being alone and definitely hooks me. Although it was a slow start, the show really got better after episode 5. The first few episodes were a little big confusing due to getting to know all the characters and understanding their stories but once you see more of their story, it makes you feel connected to them.

If you're uncomfortable about nudity and sexuality, this show is not your cup of tea. This show really doesn't leave much to imagination. Some parts are violent, but some parts are incredibly sweet and moving. This show covers issues about pride, sexuality, religion, duty, friendship- it's well rounded. It hits all the notes. They also film in 8 different cities, it's crazy beautiful.

My favorite part of this show has to be how the characters understand each other. Despite them living completely different lives, they go through the same emotions and find strength in one another. They help each other in times of need and I think all of us wishes that would happen in real life. To see it on screen makes my heart burst and squeal.

No news whether or not Netflix is going to make a season 2 but I'm crossing my fingers and toes hoping that they do! They have to feed my need to see the sensate all together and kicking ass!! Definitely worth checking out!

x

The Many types of Hang outs

I hate that the word "hang out" has multiple hidden meanings! You ever notice that? Whenever someone sends me a text that goes "hey, wanna hang out?" I always get nervous because I never really know what kind of hangout it'll be!

For example, it could be …

The "how are you? let me tell you how wonderful I'm doing" hangout 
Basically | discuss how wonderful their life is going and how yours is totally insignificant. You gotta support me and tell me I'm awesome.

The "let's see how fun you are" hangout
Basically | Dinner. Drinks! Are you down? You willing to do some crazy shit or are you lame?!

The "emotional support" hangout
Basically | I need to vent and get some advice. This might take at least 2-4 hours.

The "I need some time to kill" hangout 
Basically | I gotta do something later, but I have this awkward time gap -so let's see each other for a while then I need to go and you can't come.

The "fashion consultant" hangout
Basically | Need someone to tell me if this looks good on me or not. Also I don't want to be seen buying this by myself.

The "TELL ME EVERYTHING" hangout 
Basically | We haven't spoken in a while but by the looks of it on Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter- you're living a fabulous life! I'm jealous and I want to hear all about it!

The "birthday" hangout
Basically | Either I missed or will miss your birthday ( or any other event really), so let me make it up to you by buying you lunch/dinner.

The "I want to try out this restaurant" hangout
Basically | Never went there before. Let's try a bunch of stuff on the menu! Bye bye money!


See what I mean? SO MANY TYPES OF HANG OUTS! I'm sure there are dozen more that I didn't list. What's a girl to do?! I always gotta prepare myself for all these types of scenarios!

I love my friends, but most of the time I really just wanna say .. 

x :)

Clear eyes, Full Heart ..

It's summer and I finally have time to sit down and catch up on Netflix! I've been looking for a new show to watch and I stumbled upon Friday Night Lights on my top picks. Holy. Smokes. I am IN LOVE with this show! Every time I hear that Explosions in the Sky intro song, it hits me right in the gut and all that feeling of nostalgia smacks me in the face. Now, I'm not a huge fan of Football. I have no clue on how it's played but this show is much more than football. It has a lot of characters that make you feel like you know them or at least some version of them.

I was in marching band in high school so I've attended my fair share of football games. Granted that I never paid attention because our team never won a game and totally sucked- I gotta say that Friday Night Lights changed my mind about football. There's so much heart in it. I understand the meaning of team work and those Dillon Panthers have me cheering in my room! I've cried. I've laughed. I've been on the edge of my seat.

Besides football- we need to talk about how wonderful Coach Taylor and Tami are! I'm only on season 2 but I love their dynamic. They're so loving and supportive of each other- definitely #relationshipgoals besides their annoying daughter Julie, they're basically the best.

Now, let's talk about all the gorgeous people on the show! Starting off with the men, there's Tim Riggins.. Jason Street.. Matt Saracen.. Smash.. etc. I don't know what it is about men who play sports but they're very attractive! With the girls, there's Lyla.. Tyra.. It's amazing how this show managed to cast really attractive people and make them look normal.

Anyways, I'm midway of season 2 can't wait to see what else the series has to offer!

x