What to do in Florence

Firenze, or Florence, is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Though I lived in Rome for 4 months, and visited Florence for 4 days, I may have loved Florence more.. shhh don't tell anyone. With that being said, I am not an expert on Florence, but I can at least travel around the relatively small, and walk able, city. Like other cities, there is a Duomo and Baptistey which you can visit. Santa Maria dei Fiori, the Duomo, and the Baptistery, are adorned in green, burgandy, and white stones, and are gigantic. These two attractions, and their plaza they share, are normally packed. You can also visit a variety of churches, which are spread out throughout the city. If you are interested in museums, there are many, but the major one would be the Uffizi Gallery, where the famous David is held. Other museum attractions are the Palazzo Vecchio, where the picture above is taken, and Palazzo Pitti, a castle across the Ponte Vecchio (a bridge filled with jewelry shops). If you don't want to visit museums, and love to shop, the leather market, right near the Medici Palace, is for you. The leather market stretches along the street outside of the Medici Chapel, another attraction. At the market, you will find many leather goods, including purses, key chains, wallets, jackets, and more. In this market, you need to barter and lower the prices, you will be able to tell if something is not great quality. Some salesmen will even take a lighter and run the flame across the leather, proving the quality. Don't be astonished that  the same purse is in every stand, some things aren't unique. Also, the sellers may want to take you to their store, which could be right behind their stand, or many streets away. 

Interested in visiting Florence? Here are some tips:

• Comfortable shoes. Enough said. 
• Try to get a Firenze pass, honestly I don't know where you can purchase one, but you get access to churches, museums, and the buses with this pass. 
• Visit the Uffizi Gallery, Santa Maria dei Fiori, and the Baptistry. Make sure you visit all three of these attractions. they are very famous, and if you are short on time, these are the best to get the essence of Florence, the home of the Italian Renaissance.
• Enjoy the leather market. Walk through first, then start finding your treasures. Don't take too long, some of the salesmen will get nasty and raise their prices. Just walk away if they get mean and annoying, and don't take their bantering too seriously. 

Santa Maria dei Fiori

Ponte Vecchio

Palazzo Pitti

Medici Palace

The David in the Uffizi Gallery, a very sneaky picture taken by me, when the guards weren't looking...

There you have it, a short blurb about Florence and what you can do there! I would definitely go back and visit some of the churches I didn't have a chance to visit while there. It is a beautiful city, and relatively small, but still amazing!

The Feeling is Neutral

J.Crew Blouse (Similar Blouse) | Gap jeans (get them here) | Eddie Bauer Scarf (get it here) | J.Crew Flats (Similar) | 

After a busy day of shopping, I get to start wearing the things I've bought this summer. I really love how my style has changed, though I don't always feel like getting dressed everyday, and would rather stay in sweats, but I love to get into skinny jeans and a scarf. Wearing the most simple outfits, can make you feel really good and pretty, and I'll add in chic. 

I Just Love to Shop

I love to shop, and I love to go through what I have and figure out what else I need to find. So today, I went to almost every store, and found some good things, used some student discounts, and shopped some sales. All around, great day. Here is what I got:

Target:

Get it Here

As you will see, I love scarves. I really like anything that is a brighter color, but not obnoxious looking. As long as I can wear it with some basics and neutrals, it is perfect.

Eddie Bauer:

Get it Here

Again, I have an obsession with scarves. I normally don't shop at Eddie Bauer, but they do have nice v necks, as well as cute scarves. Exhibit A. 

Gap: 

                                                 

Get it Here

Get it Here

I really like to wear skinny jeans. I feel more comfortable wearing skinny jeans than wearing bootcut jeans or straight leg jeans. I also really like Gap jeans too. I never really wore them before, but their legging jeans have started looking a lot better, maybe they are just made differently? Other than my beloved Zara pants I bought in Italy, Gap jeans are my new favorite. Also, the grey jeans actually hit my ankles, they aren't cropped on me, and I am almost 5'6".

Banana Republic:

Get it Here

I am finding less and less things at Banana Republic, minus the elephant shorts. I think it is just because I don't really have the need for suits and business attire. However, I did find this sweater. It fits a little looser, and wide on the shoulders, and seems to be perfect for a summer night bonfire! 

J.Crew:

Get it Here

In my J.Crew store, they had this scarf in pink, however online only in white. But, again, I got this pretty scarf, to help beef up my outfits. Normally, I don't buy expensive scarfs, but when I get a student discount, and its on clearance, I'm sold! 

So that is what I got! Do you normally look through your clothes and try to shop for things to update your look? Let me know!

Elephant Shorts Debut

Shorts (Currently out of stock) | Tank | Similar Sandal

The elephant shorts are here! I picked up these shorts at Banana Republic a while ago, but I haven't put them on my blog until now. I really like them, they are super cute, comfortable, and, dare I say, chic! Of course I have my elephant bracelet on as well. Though its hot outside, I'm still opting for a black tank. I really love wearing black, it just seems very chic and easy. Have a great day and stay cool!

What to do in Pisa

Everyone has heard of the "Leaning Tower of Pisa," but does anyone know anything else about Pisa? If you are interested in taking a trip to Pisa, or want to know a little bit more, keep reading.

Pisa, which is a small city north of Rome, Italy, is famous for its Leaning Tower. The tower, which has been leaning since it was being built, is now permanently at the angle seen above, due to major engineering support. The towers top three tiers, however, were made a little more straight during the towers construction, as an attempt to "correct" the lean. To the Italians, the tower looks like a banana. The tower was built for the building behind it, the Duomo. The tower isn't anything habitable, but merely the cathedral's bell tower. Once you go in the tower, it is a hollow cylinder, with the staircases in between the walls. Today, you can walk up the tower, and you will definitely feel the lean on your way down and up! 

So interested in going to Pisa? Here are some tips:

• If you are staying in a major city, i.e. Rome, Napoli, Firenze; a train ride is fairly cheap and easy. From the train station, you keep walking straight, across a bridge, and after 20 minutes, you will find the Field of Miracles. 
• The Field of Miracles is the major attraction. There you will find the Leaning Tower, Duomo, and Baptistery. There is an office, in a yellow building, where you can buy tickets to visit the three major attractions, including a walk up the Leaning Tower. There are also lockers where you put ALL your things (minus the tickets) an hour before your time slot for the tower.
• Plan to stay for 4 hours. After seeing all three sights, you have nothing else to do, trust me, you will find yourself sitting and doing nothing. Try to have a small amount of time given to Pisa, it can all be done in less than 4 hours!
• Wear good shoes. As in all my posts, wearing comfortable shoes is great for the distances, and heights, you will be walking.
• Finding a place to eat is easy, walk down any of the streets off of the field, you will find plenty of restaurants. 
• Take pictures. Everyone wants a picture of them leaning, holding, and pushing, the tower. Make sure to leave some time to do these pictures!

Here's my kicking picture... it took awhile. So there you have it! Pisa is a nice place, but you don't need a whole day! Have fun and don't forget to take some pictures!

Ready for the Beach

Tank | Similar Shorts | Similar Sandal | Similar Scarf

Alex & Ani Elephant Bracelet

Later today I am going to the beach with my family to watch my younger brother play rugby. So I decided to get on some sandals, denim shorts & a tank to get into the summer spirit. Since, its not too sunny out, I needed a scarf to keep a little warm, especially since I have no hair to keep my neck from getting cold! I am getting used to wearing shorts, I didn't bring any to Rome, though it started to get really hot, and I haven't worn them much in the US since I love wearing skinny jeans all the time! Oh well, time to get dressed for summer before its over and school starts again... I will post some pictures of the rugby game, if it doesn't rain!

Update: Here are some rugby pictures!

Stripes & Scarves

Similar Jeans | Similar Tank | Similar Scarf | Semi-Similar Wedge

| Similar Cardigan |

I hope you all had a great 4th of July! I loved spending time with my family and lighting sparklers and seeing the fireworks! Not to mention all the yummy food! Now it is back to reality, and off to work. Here is my outfit, with my cardigan, in case the store gets really cold. Have a great Friday!

What to do in Tivoli

Tivoli, Italy is the best day trip I took from Rome. It was a great and beautiful get away from the busy city. In Tivoli there are two amazing gardens that you must visit. The first is Hadrian's Villa, Emperor Hadrian's beautiful home just outside of Rome. The second is Villa d'Este, a beautiful water garden where all the water features run on gravitational pull. From Rome, Tivoli is about a half hour train ride. Once in Tivoli, there are buses you can take to get you to the center where Villa d'Este is located, as well as a castle which I was unable to visit. In the town center there is a remarkable view of Italy, and you can even see the dome of St. Peter's. To get to Hadrian's Villa, we took a taxi since it is a little bit farther out of the center, down windy roads. Tivoli is so beautiful, and like other day trips you may take, you want to go on a nice and sunny day to experience the gardens natural beauty. 

Here are some tips:

• Bring extra money- you will need a taxi to get you to and from Hadrian's Villa, and even into the town center if you do not wish to wait for the bus
• Wear extra comfortable shoes- Hadrian's Villa is huge, and you will be walking miles to see these beautiful gardens
• Bring a camera- you will be surrounded by beautiful scenery, you need documentation
• Relax and take it all in- Tivoli is a perfect get away where you can relax and take in the beauty-- no wonder the Pope's vacation home is there!

Tivoli is so beautiful, I hope you have a chance to visit. It is an amazing get away! Have a great day!

Happy 4th!

DIY Tee | Similar Zara Jeans | Keds

Happy 4th of July! My favorite holiday is here! I love hanging with my family and eating hot dogs and hamburgers and seeing the fireworks at night! Though it is rainy today, I am still in the 4th of July spirit and wearing the American flag shirt I made last year. I hope you all have a fun and safe 4th of July!