I'm Home!!

    After a gruelingly packed two-week trip of Northeast area colleges,  I am exhausted and completely prepared to take my much-deserved vacation in the Florida Keys. Don't get me wrong, the college visits were great, but there's something about it that somehow induces a lot of stress ;). The pressure is definitely on after seeing the rigor and high levels of dedication at these schools. I could go on and on about my favorites and not-so-favorites, but I'll save that for more in-depth reviews. And since I don't have all night, here is my first college adventure in a nutshell:

Boston:
Brandeis University~ an American private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts, 9 miles west of Boston.
Boston College~ a private Jesuit Catholic research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States, 6 miles west of downtown Boston.
Boston University~ a private research university located in the heart of Boston.
Harvard University~ a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Providence:
Brown University~ a private, Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island.

Poughkeepsie:
Vassar College~ a private, coeducational, liberal arts undergraduate college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York.

New York City:
New York University~ a private, nonsectarian American research university based in New York City.
Columbia University~ a private Ivy League research university in Upper Manhattan, New York City.
Barnard University~ a private women's liberal arts college in New York City, New York.

    So all in all, it was 9 schools in 3 cities, with an info session and campus tour for each. All in 13 days! By no means is this it, though, you can see that there's a definite mix of small and large schools. I'm sure there's a couple that you recognize, there might be a few that you don't. That was the point of this trip, to broaden my knowledge of different types of schools and to help me understand what I should look for. There are so many things to think about, campus, curriculum, extracurriculars and CITY! You have to deeply consider all of these and the sensation I get is quite similar to trying to choose just one flavor of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. None of these was a complete win or loss, lord knows I have a long way to go! Thank goodness I don't have to decide anytime soon. Well, that's it for today, I'm looking forward to diving into the details in future posts. :) Thanks for stopping by!

24 Hours in Monaco // Style Watch No. 3

 
    Ah a city full of beautiful things, I've promised myself that I'll go one day. The mile-long city is known for its luxurious lifestyle and active royal family. The Grimaldi's have run not only the principality since 1297, they've slowly taken over the fashion world. With A-Listers around every corner, it's easy to see how difficult it would be to stand out. These royals have done it impeccably, the elegance is just unbelievable. 

    No. 1 on my list is just the most beautiful and stylish woman that I think I've ever seen. Beatrice Borromeo is an Italian heiress who married Pierre Casiraghi, the son of Princess Caroline. Beatrice is the daughter of the Count of Arona in Italy and her worldliness really shows through her work and her fashion sense. 

her wedding day

out and about

    Charlotte Casiraghi is a powerful woman in Europe, as the second child of Caroline, Princess of Monaco, she has contributed so much to the world of fashion and equestrian worlds. She is the face of Gucci and has a beautiful baby boy named Raphael.

front row at a Chanel show in 2007

Ad campaign for Gucci

    The girl who is going to sweep the nation, I am sure of it. Her name is Pauline Ducruet and she was a Junior Olympic diver. Now at the age of 22, she is becoming an influential stylist and is currently studying a FOURTH language. Wow, you go girl. She has also been working in junction with her mother (Princess Stephanie of Monaco) on the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo

    Well, there you have 'em, the style icons that I like to keep my eye on. I think a wealthy European principality is definitely at an advantage as far as branding and shows go, but we can always take inspiration right? From the younger generations to their parents, the House of Grimaldi does fashion in a very luxurious and sophisticated way. My favorite look out of all of these would for sure be Beatrice's wedding gown, its simplicity and elegance just puts me at peace. And of course, she looks beautiful too. Hope you liked it, and thanks for stopping by!

24 Hours in New York City // Style Watch No. 1

 
    New York City has been a haven for the most stylish and fashionably apt people in the country, not to mention the world. It is a well known bustling center for commerce and shopping. People from all over flock to NYC for different experiences, from climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty to eating a Cronut for the first time. This town has been featured in books, movies and songs. The title, "Capital of the World", is well deserved, because it seems like people just cannot get enough of it.  I'm biting into the the Big Apple to see what exactly makes it so delightful and what part of it would have me enchanted the most.

Sharp Taylor

©instyle

    Even though my time in the city has never been long enough, I have witnessed incredible looks. I enjoy  reading articles about different fashion icons that roam the streets. :) For example, although I'm not a rampant Taylor Swift fan (a new resident of New York City), I must admit that her street style goes unmatched. This errand run outfit is one of my favorites. I love how she has put together an ensemble that perfectly represents the classic English fox hunting gear. Just beautiful. ♥︎

Darling Olivia

©aplacetogetlost

    Today, I wanted to pay homage to one of my favorite American socialites, Olivia Palermo. Her street style is impeccable and she is admired by many fashion enthusiasts around the world. Though I probably couldn't pull off some of her riskier ensembles, most of her outfits are a great stepping off point to a guaranteed-to-be-successful day out on the town. These collages down below are inspired by two of her many noteworthy get-ups.

Cronuts: What they are and why everyone is dying to have one......(and psst! where you can get one)

©gohomeandaway

A cutting-edge pastry is in town, one that has taken the United States by storm. Cronuts are all the rage and their newfound fame has meant a huge boom in business for French innovator and baker, Chef Dominique Ansel. A Cronut™ is a unique cross between a croissant and a donut that has left all other wannabe pastries in the dust. The Cronut™ brand and product  is a registered trademark of Dominique Ansel Bakery (©dominiqueansel.com). Deemed the "Willy Wonka of NYC", Chef Ansel has won several prestigious awards in the culinary world, including 3 Michelin stars.

   Many celebrities have promoted this baked treat by making their first Cronut experience a must. Apparently it is worth the wait and worth making a fuss over, it's that good! Wether or not I will take the time and money to travel to New York City to specifically get a Cronut is not probable, but it's possible. :) For more information on this new NYC trademark, click here to get a full education on how to get your hands on one.   

Brands Galore!

©3.bp

    Shopping wise, 5th Avenue is a bucket list destination for anyone who has ever wanted to shop in New York City. Need a guide? Hop over to New York Magazine's article on shopping in the city. 

  

    This about sums up what I like most about NYC and what I would do if I was given just one day. While I wouldn't need to go to every famous landmark, I must say that I am a sucker for some of the cliché hotspots. However, I would rather look for an experience that is more off the beaten path. 

    What are your favorite things about New York City? Have you had your eye on any fashionistas? Or have you ever had a first hand experience with a Cronut? I'd love to hear your New York stories. Feel free to tell me in the comments.

Blue Eyes

 Frank Sinatra paying tribute to the city that never sleeps. 

Intro: Out & Around

    On a beautiful winter day with a crisp breeze, what's more enjoyable than a boat ride on the river? For an outing like this, you want a getup that will keep you warm and comfortable without looking too laidback and messy. I love the combination of the blue dark wash jeans
and the denim button down and to seal it off, I paired it with the almost black down jacket and sneakers. To bring a pop to the outfit, I thought the green of the backpack was the perfect shade and brought the right amount of vibrancy into an otherwise monotone color scheme. Along with the Dolce & Gabbana perfume, this look is all about function while still remaining stylish and fun.

Thanks for reading!