Italian Holiday

I am continuously blessed to be able to travel to and explore new places. One of the most recent was Italy. 

Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites of any country, is full of delicious food, and has the some of the most beautiful sites (landscapes, cityscapes, people) ever.

I spent just over a week in Italy and went to four cities: Milan, Rome, Venice, and Florence. I still can't believe I was able to do so much in so little time. By the end my feet were aching, but my heart was full of love and appreciation for this incredible country. 

Check out my vlog and photos for some of the best views. 

& let me know your favorite places to travel in Italy.

I spent longer than necessary waiting for the birds to fly.

This is Michelangelo's last work, the Rondanini Pieta.

Tbh, no matter how giant you think the Colosseum is, it's bigger.

Where's Paolo?

Rome ruin-ed me.

God was shining in on St. Peter's.

I fell in love with Venice's streets. I'm not sure if it was because or despite constantly being lost in them.

The birds of Venice

There is nothing like the silhouette of statues on a blue sky.

Being casual while taking in the morning light (and only sunshine while we were there) over Florence.

How incredible is the architecture in Florence?!

It's important to include this picture so you can see how tired we were after exploring. We were constantly going, but it was 100% worth it. There's no time for rest when there's more beauty to behold.

I already can't wait to go back to see and taste everything I missed!

- Jess

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Christmas in Edinburgh

To start, quick life update that I somehow missed on here: I'm in Georgia, the country, teaching English this school year. I've never been to this side of the world and it's an opportunity that I took because, why not? I'm getting to explore new places, make new friends, and live a life far different from what I'd have in Ohio. Like any new, different experience it has its ups and downs and there has been a lot of learning, by me and my students. I think I'll wait until I'm back home to do a full post on my experience, after I've had time to really unpack for myself what this has been like.

Anyway, to the point...
(I realize this is the latest/worst timed post ever, but #yolo, I've been busy.)

Over the winter holidays I had a couple weeks off school and took FULL advantage of the time off, location on this side of the Atlantic, cheap European flights, and new friends from some of my favorite places. 

The first place: Edinburgh.
I'd been there once before, but for less than 48 hours. This time I spent almost 2 weeks there, hung out with the locals, had some chill time by myself, and really got to explore the city. After visiting the first time I fell in love with it and after this trip it's still on my list of 'best places I've ever been.' 

During this trip (I told myself) I was on a very tight budget, so in my exploring I tried to do as many free things as possible. I thought this was actually pretty easy. There are so many free museums and outdoor activities, and at Christmas there was the Christmas Market! I really didn't find any shortage of things to do and free activities meant I had a little wiggle room in my budget for brunches and Christmas chocolates.

Edinburgh really knows how to do Christmas!
Side note: I had the most incredible mac & cheese here.

Looking for E-L-V-E-S in the Christmas tree maze

The National Museum of Scotland: full of animals, fashion, airplanes, sunlight, and more.

If miracles were to happen anywhere, surely it'd be here.
@ Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Just walking around is an activity...

...look at these streets!

Calton Hill has a vieeeeew

National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill

The yummiest cakes and breakfast atmosphere @ Southern Cross Café

This was the most casual post about a place ever, but I hope you enjoyed it.

I'll be back with more soon! Promise.

- Jess

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Time for Change?

January 2018.

I'm pretty sure last year was a big year for everyone. I know it definitely was for me. 

I've been through a lot of changes in the past year from my job to my location to my style. Since leaving school it's been a loooong process for me to figure out what to wear to feel my best and most confident in my new 'adult' world, regardless of what's in style. Sadly, it's no longer acceptable to wear leggings and a sweatshirt all day everyday (although that hasn't stopped me on all of my days off...). 

One part of my 'wardrobe' that is high on the list of it needs to be perfect is my glasses. Having poor eyesight means that I am stuck with some sort of glasses or contacts, so they might as well look great and make me feel great. 

For awhile my go-to for glasses has been Warby Parker. I found them during my first year at university (almost 6 whole years ago!) and I've been in love ever since. They are everything I'm looking for in glasses, and really any product.

1. They look good.

2. They are affordable.

3. The company does good work around the world.

What more could you ask for?

Bell
Hughes Large

If you're looking for some change in your eyewear (style or life), check out Warby Parker's new Spring 2018 Collection. It's all about change and in-betweenness to help you go from the cold winter to the warm summer and whatever other transition you've got going on. There are new dark, warm colors like Matte Navy and Layered Crystal & there are new cool, light colors like Cypress Crystal and Lychee Crystal. I haven't been brave enough to try any transparent frames yet, but this collection may be swaying me...

Some of my favorites in the collection are:

Hyde in Redwood Tortoise Fade

Bell in Hazelnut Crystal

Vaughan in Lapis Crystal

Hope this helps if you're looking for some glasses inspiration. 

- Jess

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