Traveler's Nostalgia

Recently at UVa there have been a ton of study abroad presentations, and it is getting me so excited for the day that I get to study abroad, though that probably won't be for a couple of years. All this thinking about studying in another country has prompted me to miss my traveling experiences in other countries, particularly Italy. 

Two summers ago, my family went on my favorite vacation ever - Europe! It was super hard to decide where we wanted to go over the two weeks, but ultimately we ended up going to Italy, Switzerland, Pais, and London. We spent half of the trip in Italy touring Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Venice, and Siena. I fell in love with Rome. It was so crazy for me to walk down any street and see ruins from the Roman Empire with a modern building right next to it. I could spend a month there just going to museums - seeing famous paintings like The School of Athens, The Creation of Adam, etc. was just so crazy. All of the churches, landmarks, etc. were one more beautiful after the other. 

I love traveling to other countries, especially places with rich histories. The dear USA is so amazing in so many ways, but I love the gothic, baroque, and romantic architecture which just doesn't exist here in its genuine form. It's awesome to go see and experience all of the things you see in your textbooks and in class! 

And the Tuscan countryside... don't get me started. 

Arch of Constantine

Trevi Fountain

Vatican City in the background

Just walking down the streets you see things like this all the time - so cool

The Colosseum

St. Peter's Basilica - the three windows were built to have the sunlight come through at certain times of the day to represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Guess we picked a good time of day to go! 

Venice canals & gondolas

Siena, Italy - a small, beautiful town

Traveler's nostalgia is no fun, but I'm so excited at the prospect of one day carving out my own adventure and studies in a place as beautiful as this. 

Happy Saturday! 

All Things Glitter

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11214737/?claim=dugnmw6vwy4">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Disclaimer: I am not one for skipping over the Thanksgiving season and jumping straight into Christmas the second Halloween is over. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, but my organized self is already trying to plan my holiday outfits, which was the inspiration for this post!

The fashion world has made it blatantly obvious that it is going to be nearly impossible to get through the holiday season (most particularly, the holiday parties) without a touch, or more accurately, a slam, of glittery-sparkly-sequiny goodness.

I for one am not the type to wear a ton of sparkles (with the exception of my senior prom dress and a couple of homecoming dresses). The boldest I will usually get is a statement necklace with some rhinestones, but usually I stick to the simple, classic look when I am shopping for holiday apparel. But the more I think about it, why shouldn't we reflect the festiveness and excitement of the holiday season through our outfits? And nothing says "I'm excited" more than glitter.

Junior Homecoming... slightly embarrassing. But this dress was super sparkly!

Really, the more I think about this bold concept, the more into it I get. There is definitely a thing as "too much" sparkle, but adding a touch would definitely take an outfit up a notch.

Here is a collection of glittery goodness that I would definitely be caught sporting to honor the season:

multi glitter carousel

sequin dusted sweater

skinny glitter belt

bowtie shimmer clutch

darby glitter loafers

colorblock sequin tank

sequin mini

So whether you're attending Deb balls, a thousand holiday parties, or ringing in 2014 with your closest friends, I encourage you to join me in showcasing a little sparkle in your outfit. 

PS - my mom picked up this Anthropologie dress for me for the holiday season - I am OBSESSED.

Happy Friday!

F. Scott Fitzgerald is a Genius

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” 

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

If this isn't right I don't know what is. This year was the first time I have lived through a real fall, from beginning to end. And though the season is not technically over yet according to the calendar, I am starting to feel an extra bit of chill in the air and most of the leaves here at UVa have fallen, leaving behind barren and sad-looking trees. 

Fall is my favorite season by far. I love the contrast between the warm colors of the leaves with the cool, breezy air. And let's be honest, fall clothes are the best. You don't look like a marshmallow, and you're also not sweating to death and having to wash your chino shorts every single day. It's a beautiful in between stage of festive colors, boots, socks, vests, jackets, etc. 

Here's a selection of my favorite pictures from the very beginning of this season that I took:

I guess the next thing I have to look forward to is the snow! Eeeek!

PS - is anyone else going to see the Hunger Games tonight? I can't wait! 

Do you miss the leaves?

Brrr Event

Aaaaad just when I thought I was being a good girl and not spending too much money on fall/winter clothes, J. Crew tempts me with the Brrr Event. The sale features 25% off of J. Crew's winter favorites, which in my mind means buying 5/4 of what I normally would, because it's on sale, right? ;) I am trying my hardest to hold out, and so far I successfully have... but we'll see how long that lasts. 

Living in Charlottesville is the best because the J. Crew Warehouse (not the factory store, the actual warehouse) is located just one hour away in Lynchburg, Virginia. They occasionally have massive warehouse sales, and thus the ultimate shortcoming of not having a car here is not having a way to get to these sales and make the most of them! My friend went to one in October and got 17 sweaters, for under $200 - unheard of. I'll for sure be finding my way there before the year ends, though.

Here's what I'll be giving into if I can't hold out:

elbow-patch sweater

crystal stud earrings

button glittens

fair isle trouser socks

midrise toothpick cord

macalister wedge boots

convertible leather clutch

waffle-stitch infinity scarf

PS - I took some of these items from J. Crew Factory, which is also having a massive sale: 40% off everything. Doubly enticing, doubly hard to refrain from splurging.

Also - I am having a grave internal debate over what color I want in the double-cloth lady day coat. It's the classic battle between neutral (dark camel) and statement (bright red). Let me know which one you like better! 

Happy shopping! 

Etsy Spotlight: Geeky Decals

Alright fellow Mac owners/lovers, I'm about to let you in on my absolute favorite Etsy shop out there.

Geeky Decals

It is seriously THE BEST. When I bought my Macbook Pro Retina Display for school last summer, I bought a geeky decal right after. There are so many options that it can be slightly overwhelming, but because I'm such a big Harry Potter fan, my pick was a no brainer: 

Harry Potter Decal

The shop is full of great decals, and they sell them for computers, iPhones, and iPads, with themes ranging from TV shows, movies, music, puns, to art. The best part is their price! The Harry Potter one I purchased was only $4.50, and most of them are priced around that. This makes them an easy treat for yourself or for a friend.

Sometimes it's fun to be geeky ;) 

Animals...?

I've been spending a lot of my free time recently reorganizing my closet/drawers and packing up all my summer-y clothes to take back to Tampa over Thanksgiving Break. Considering I haven't worn shorts in over a month, it's time for them to go back to a place where they belong. In doing all of this, I noticed I have a really, really strange amount of clothing that has animals on them.

The weird thing is, I don't even like animals all that much. There are a few dogs in this world that I love, and I do like cats. But as far as everything else goes, I am completely indifferent. We had a First Year Formal this past Friday for our class, and I wore a silk dress from Anthropologie covered in flamingos that I bought in May. (And I also have a different pink dress that is covered in flamingos... it's a dead giveaway that I'm a Florida girl.)

Emma & me at Alumni Hall - 11/15/13

In my opinion, animals are better than animal prints. Clothes with animals are fun and different, definitely quirky - but you'll be sure to get some comments and compliments if you're bold enough to wear them!

Here's a collection of some of my favorite sweaters for sale now with animals: 

warmspun intarsia hen sweater

camel sweater

jeweled llama sweater

warmspun intarsia cat sweater

Nothing like a cat dress! (I promise I am not a cat lady).

Happy Monday!

Sunday Wisdom: Purpose

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 

-1 Peter 3:13-18

This verse has been running through my mind all morning. Sometimes I feel super uncertain about what I am supposed to be doing with my life, and God's plan for me to carry that purpose out. The college environment really enforces all of these thoughts, because it is the place where people come to make a career, a title, and an image for themselves to carry with them into their future families and careers.

I've found that it is super easy to fall into a trap of wanting to do what I want to do, rather than listening to God's call for my life and my purpose in His plan. It is easy to get wrapped up in things like reputations, grades, and what major will yield me the greatest pleasure and life of comfortability. But this verse radically shows that all of these thoughts are flat out wrong. 

The Lord has never told us to lead a life of comfortability and fulfill our own purposes. And even though God's purposes for our lives can be frightening, as it is said in verse 17, "For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." Even if how we live or what God's purpose for our lives doesn't fit into the life of comfortability that this world idolizes, we should not be tempted by it. 

And, how could we not fulfill our Father's desires for us, when they in no way compare to the most terrifying plan God has ever put into place in a human's life - sending his son to Earth with the purpose to die for us? When I think about it this way, I feel embarrassed for not listening to the role God has called me to play in His plans, because it in no way compares to the role His son fulfilled in His life, and subsequently, all of our lives.

Also, this song is great and sums all of this up beautifully. 

Happiest of Sundays!