Pixie Cut & Jeans

White Tank | Similar Jeans | Keds | Necklace

Yankees Bracelet | Elephant Bracelet

I got a pixie cut... Last Tuesday I decided to cut off all my hair and donate it for the 4th time. So now I have a really really short pixie cut... I am getting used to it, but I think I still like having longer hair. At least I tried it. Anyway, since it is hot, I decided to wear a tank and jeans. I also got a new Alex & Ani bracelet with, you guessed it, an elephant! It was a great idea to have a tank on, until it started storming outside and I had to run outside to get the car... so fun, it was like I was on some movie set. Have a great 3rd of July everyone!

What to do in Pompeii

One of my favorite day trips from Rome was Pompeii. Pompeii is south of Rome, near Napoli. This trip was organized by our school in Rome, and over a three days, we saw Naples, Pompeii, Palerno, Sorrento and Paestum. From Naples we took a bus down to Pompeii, which was not a very long ride. However, if you are staying in a city like Rome and plan to go to Pompeii for a day trip, taking a train is your best option. 

Like Pisa and Tivoli, which I will write about soon, Pompeii is a good day trip. Obviously, you can stay longer, but there is only one thing to see in Pompeii, which are the ruins of Pompeii. If possible, plan your trip on a day when it isn't raining, you will be walking a ton, and through the streets of the ruins, therefore no coverings. When you arrive, you start on the outside of the city, and you pay for your admission and there are also maps to help you navigate your way through, and out, of the ruins. Having a scheduled tour might be your best option, unless you have been there before, since they can guide you through the city and tell you what things are. Trust me, you may not know some stuff. From ancient sidewalks, fast food joints, and brothels, going in without knowledge of these things will not let you enjoy Pompeii to its full potential. 

So here are some tips:

• Plan to travel on a day without rain
• Wear comfortable shoes- you will be walking a lot
• Go on a scheduled tour, or have a guidebook with you
• Take lots of pictures
• Don't be afraid of the stray dogs

Pompeii is a very fun and stress-free trip,  you go into the ancient city, and walk out, and that's it! You can easily spend hours wandering around, but I would say you need at least 3 hours to tour Pompeii. 

And the dogs comment, there are stray dogs that live in Pompeii, don't be afraid of them, they won't hurt you! 

Pompeii is a great adventure, and was on my bucket list! It i amazing to see how well preserved the city is after the damage of the Mt. Vesuvius (pictured in the background of the title picture). If you like to see and feel history, this is a great place to visit, and it will only take several hours. I guarantee that it will be interesting, fun, and you may even learn something. If you have any questions or comments about Pompeii, please leave a note below!

My Study Abroad Experience

After being home for a month, I miss Europe. I truly miss my tiny and cramped apartment two blocks away from the Vatican; along with the freedom and independence of walking everywhere for anything and all the sights I was able to see in a short period of four months. Though I talked a lot about studying abroad tons of times; like in my study abroad tips posts, I want to put my experience in one, hopefully cohesive, post. 

Why did I decide to go abroad?
My college is very big on studying abroad, and with my major in architecture and history, it felt right to go somewhere other than a small college campus in the middle of nowhere to see real architecture and history. I went to some informational meetings about studying abroad, and found that going to Rome, Italy was the best choice for me. I was hesitant, though, for going across the ocean for four months, but I realized it would be great for my academic career, and for personal self-growth, to study abroad. 

What did I do for 4 months (one semester) in Europe?
A ton. I lived in Rome, Italy, but traveled to Cambridge and London, England, Naples, Pompeii, Pisa, Florence, Tivoli, and several other Italian cities. During the week, I had four classes; an Italian language class at the Scuola di Leonardo da Vinci, and three classes taught by two professors from my school back in the U.S. I studied architecture, art history, and history. In my study abroad program, our classes were taught in museums, churches, and the streets of Rome. When I didn't have class, I explored Rome. I took along my Rick Steve's guide and meandered through the different parts of Rome. I highly recommend getting a travel book and reading it before, and while, you are in your selected city. I think that if I sat in my apartment all day and only went to the same places, I would have been extremely bored and would not have great memories, and pictures, of historical and memorable places. 

Did you like Rome? Did you understand the language?
Yes and yes-ish. Before going abroad, I was required to take one course in Italian, and while I was there, I had to take another Italian course. Because of these two courses, and being surrounded by Italian speaking people, I could understand most, but not all of it. Though I could not fully understand everything, I was able to communicate with many Italians. I think because I learned the language, to some extent, I was able to enjoy Rome on a deeper level. Instead of just scrapping the surface, I was able to experience a lot more, which made me fall in love with the city. 

Would you go back?
I would hop on the next plane to Rome if I was able to. I loved living there so much, it was magical. Hopefully, someday soon, I would be able to go back and explore more, and visit other Italian cities I missed out on; i.e. Venice and Milan. 

Anything else?
If you are able to study abroad, do it. I mainly went because it was a new experience, and it fit in with my course work for my double major and minor. I loved Rome, and I loved being able to study abroad, it was just a great experience, and it was very fun. 

If you want to know more about my experience, don't hesitate to comment below. Stay tuned for posts about what I did in Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Pompeii; hopefully it will help you if you travel there!

Graduation!

{Loft Blazer} {J. Crew Blouse} {Similar Pants} {Similar Wedge}

{Loft Dress} {Similar Heel} {Similar Clutch} {Similar Earrings}

The first outfit was for the mass for the graduating seniors, then the lovely sibling picture (grad in the middle!), was for the actual graduation ceremony. Yes, I did a wardrobe change. 

So here are my outfits! As you can see I am trying to get a white background set up for my outfits now, I am just trying to find where the tripod is in my house! I swear it is hidden somewhere. So hopefully I will have better images of my outfits soon, including my feet, and will be able to get rid of the tower of books serving as a temporary tripod.

Congrats again little brother, and to all graduating seniors of class 2013!

7 Ways to Bare: Review

I am in love with Bare Minerals and their mineral veil and eye shadows. I would say that the 7 Ways to Bare is a really good buy if you love the loose powder shadow and want more neutral shades. Several shades are more matte; Nude Beach, Chic Nude, In the Nude. The others have some glitter in them, but it isn't too sparkly. I really love doing nude colors; pinks, beiges, browns, etc., and I am really glad I got this! The only thing that upsets me is that it is very light then dark, without many shades in between. I think that Bare Minerals could have opted for one or two less light pinks and added another medium shade. Overall, if you love Bare Minerals eye shadow, and want some more neutral shadows, this is perfect for you!

Shopping!

I have a super busy weekend because of my little brother's high school graduation! And obviously, being a girl, I had to buy a new outfit! So here is what I got!:

                           
This pretty little number is from The Loft and is perfect for the hot weather, while still being classy and lightweight. I love the color!I plan to wear it with my nude shoes, and I am going to either make a longer necklace, or borrow one from someone! Here is what else I got this morning!:
                        

This navy blue blazer, also from Loft.

                                
I really wanted to get more eye shadows, and I love Bare Minerals. So I go the 7 Ways to Bare, which includes 7 nude colors, perfect.
                                 
I also wanted a mineral veil that had some more color in it. I got the tinted mineral veil, again from Bare Minerals. 
                                    
I have purple under eyes, genetics (not lack of sleep!), so I needed a concealer that would cover up, but not be too cakey or heavy on such a thin layer of skin. So I got one by Tarte called Maracuja Creaseless Concealer; I hope it works!

Other than some lunch, those where my purchases today to help me look nice for the graduation tomorrow! I am so excited! Have you tried any of these makeup products? Let me know below!

Gardening

Since I was little I loved to garden with my parents. Though in high school I avoided the garden, now (after the awkward high school years) I actually am starting to like gardening again. I can probably blame this new found love with pinterest, the usual culprit. I haven't had anything interesting to post yet this weekend, but here are two pictures I took today at the garden store, and at home. I really wanted an herb garden so I planted some basil, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. In the center is a tomato plant, and the tomatoes are seedless! I will definitely get a bigger pot, a nicer one too. I'll go out with my camera tomorrow and snap some pretty shots for you all! Plus, I'll let you know the status of my little garden!