In love

I am re-obsessing over Magdalena Frackowiak because how can you not?

Vogue Paris, November 2009

Tuna Melt at Grey Dog

Buckwheat Crepes at a restaurant in Noho


Poached Egg and Polenta

New Thang

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates. My life has been so hectic lately! I promise I will update everyone on it soon. In the meanwhile, here is a link to my new tumblr!

http://traveling-in-tutus.tumblr.com/


I started it a few weeks ago. I update it a bit more regularly, mostly with photos, because it's easier for me to do so (it's more of an inspiration board than a personal blog)

Anyway, check it out when you have time and let me know what you think!


XOXO


Aya

Smoothies Galore

So I've been on a smoothie kick again . . .

 
And those are the ones I actually managed to take pictures of . . .

How is everyone doing? I've been okay over here. May is indeed a busy month. Congrats to those who graduated or will be graduating this month! I wish you guys the best in the road ahead!

I for one have also enrolled in school and will be starting in September. What will I be doing/where will I be going you ask? That will be revealed soon enough.

It's 3 in the morning over here and I am not tired at all! But I suppose I shall hit the sack. Need to get that beauty rest . . .

Toodles guys~

Pieces of me

While in Paris, I got used to eating alone. That's when I decided to draw and leave behind the sketches. It was my way of leaving bits of myself in Paris.

Gatework

I came and triumphed

This was day 1 in Paris. After a mishap in the metro involving someone's sticky fingers (yes people, pickpocketing is serious business over here), I safely made it to see this beauty a few minutes away from the hotel.

From there, I walked straight to the Louvre.

My first day was a roller coaster ride. After getting my wallet stolen, encounters with locals were either really enjoyable or quite unpleasant. One shop girl was extremely nice though. She barely knew any English, but was very kind and even walked me to a local thrift shop (she didn't know what thrift was, until I said "old clothes"). I bought this shirt from her for 40 Euros, and it's currently one of my favorite things to wear (suede elbow pads!)

I wore this outfit the next day and John, over at Hippy Market, snapped a picture of me!

(Sand on the boots from walkin' to the Louvre beeteedubs)

The store, reminiscent of some thrift/vintage stores in the Lower East Side, is full of leather jackets, leather handbags, short a-line skirts, and patterned button-up shirts. I bought a very cute scarf from them for 12 Euros. It's perfect for tying around bags or wearing on your head.

If you're ever in Paris, definitely check them out! You can find the location and see more Hippy Peeps on their facebook! http://www.facebook.com/hippymarketmarais

As of late . . .

My friend Kevin's instagram of us at Veniero's Pastry Shop (rainbow cookies, chocolate mousse, and 2 cappuccinos)

On an entirely different note, I've also been inspired by Kevin's motivation to complete Insanity, and have taken the plunge and ordered it myself. From kickboxing to bikram yoga, rock climbing to hip hop dancing, boot camp classes to ballet, I have done a lot of different forms of exercise and dance. I really wanted to hit a new plateau and continue on with my active lifestyle well into the summer, so I decided to just go ahead and take the Insanity challenge. I know it'll be intense (the people who have done it are probably laughing at the fact that I have NO idea how intense it really is), but I decided this is the year I'm going to challenge myself and just do it already.

Wish me luck lovely people! Oh, and updates of when I start the program and how I'm doing will SURELY come. Ta-ta!


(P.S. If you're wondering whether the Eurotrip photo porn will keep coming, it will most definitely keep coming)

Another day in Milan

Another day, another gelato.

The Ideal Parisian Diet

Oh yes, welcome to my tummy little Parisian pastry.

I left my heart in Firenze

Hey guys, how have you all been?
I've been doing really well. I just got back from my 2 day (really only 1.5 days) in Firenze (Florence), Italy. All I can say is I am IN LOVE. I also decided this was probably good I didn't get to see everything there because now I have an excuse to go back.

I definitely am on a gelato diet. But seriously, gelato here is like eating a sweet cloud...nothing like it!

A true Italian brand, Missoni!

Cute little stores everywhere . . .

The art in Florence is amazing e molto bella!

This is only a fraction of the pictures I took there (don't worry, I'll probably post images for days after I come back).

I stayed at the Westin Excelsior in Florence, and the reason why I have to mention that is, if you ever stay in Florence and really want to stay somewhere nice or have people with whom you can split the cost (it's pricey), stay there. The rooms are amazing, fully equipped and comfortable, and the service is top notch! Ilaria, the woman who checked me in, was super attentive and personally took me to my room. And the next day, Alessio (it's something similar to this but not exact) at Concierge was amazing. He was personable and super informative, and helped me reserve tickets at the Academia and Uffizi so I wouldn't have to wait in line (after letting him know I was leaving that same night). I just thought I would let everyone know because I work at a hotel and after staying there, it's really inspired me to be even more amazing.

Oh Firenze, mi manchi già (I miss you already!)

En Milano Streets

Sorry, that's not happening.

The bag

Sitting in the park, with my purse and a few memories.

Tonight's Dinner

Pane, vino, tunno, verdure e fagioli! (bread, wine, tuna, vegetables, and beans!)

Italia!

Hello from Milano! I arrived safely a day ago and already I'm in a daze. The air is so different here and the people are so laid back! And I have never been in a place crawling with so many straight men (art high school, fashion college, you get the gist).

The trip getting to JFK was the worst part of the whole thing. The subway just would not move, and I thought I was going to miss my flight! It was only when I actually arrived in Germany that I calmed down a great deal and started to enjoy myself.

I had a 9 hour layover in Dusseldorf, Germany. That being said, I did not end up going to some of the major places I was planning to go to (I was kind of scared I would have another almost-miss-my-flight episode), so I just stuck to the central part of Dusseldorf.








It was Sunday and everything was closed, but I still enjoyed walking around (and eating brat). The people there are so nice! I had people help me with directions, buying train tickets for me (no English option on the machines I'm afraid), and one man by the name of Oliver literally went out of his way to make sure I got to the right airport (as in, took me there with his train card and made sure I got there safely). I regret not getting a contact but I am eternally grateful Oliver!

I arrived in Milan a few hours later, at night. My friend Isadora picked me up at Centrale Station, where we hugged and celebrated the fact that I did not get lost and end up in the middle of nowhere. She took me to her apartment and introduced me to her roommate/friend Jacki (she is super cool!) After a very late dinner, we hit the hay.

That leads me to today . . . Duomo.





(Duomo and me!)

Everything is BEAUTIFUL. I could never see something like this in NY . . . it would be ruined by skyscrapers and construction sites in the background. This is definitely something you guys have to get on a plane and see (and I urge you to do so).

We also had some AMAZING gelato. The name of the place escapes me but they basically drizzle chocolate from a chocolate fountain into your cone, load up two flavors of gelato (your choice) on top, and finally, they stick a wafer cookie in it. It was TO DIE FOR. The place was crowded and we did end up waiting for a while, but it was worth it. If you ever find this place (I'll try to get the name), get the flavor called Caprese. Tastes like a rainbow cookie (SO GOOD)!

Anyway, I gotta sleep soon (it's close to 1 am over here!) But look forward to more pictures soon~ Ciao lovelies, from Isadora and I!

This hair!

Vogue Germany April 2012
Stylist: Luigi Murenu

Flyin'

Hey guys, notice the cheesy-grinning girl above this text? Yeah, you really can't miss her. Well, that girl is me.
I know, you're wondering why I'm smiling so hard. Well, you'd be smiling too if you found out . . .

YOU WERE FLYING TO EUROPE!

Okay, if you live in Europe, it's probably not the biggest deal to you. But for a girl that's seen nothing but NY for the past few years and has been working non-stop, it's pretty much the answer to everything.

I'll try to keep you guys updated. I'm currently trying to convince my mother's boss to lend me her extra laptop for the trip!

That's it for now. I'll post pictures of what I've been up to recently as well! Au revoir!

A winner is chosen . . .

Sorry for the delay for the giveaway guys. But without further a do, here is the winner (selected by the lovely random number generator):

Gina M Maddox

I follow you publicly on GFC! -- Gina M Maddox
I like them on FB -- Crave to Save
My favorite dress on their site is called beauty mark. Thanks for the chance to win!

Thanks love! I will send you a follow-up email!

And sorry guys about the slow updates. I promise more will be seen in the future (some surprising news will be surfaced soon enough!)

This is all for now! Until next time~

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Hey guys, it's Aya. How have you been? Sorry for the lack of updates from my part. I pretty much decided in December I would start ballet, bachata, and bikram yoga on top of running and hip hop classes, and now that I'm doing kickboxing, I decided I need to slow down before I completely exhaust myself.

I have some very exciting news though. I'm hosting my first giveaway!

Shabby Apple is an online dress boutique for women. Here's what they say on their website (www.shabbyapple.com):

A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!).
We started Shabby Apple because we saw a need in women’s fashion that was not being met. A need to make women feel feminine and beautiful for what they wear, not what they bare. We offer flirty, stylish dresses a woman can wear just as comfortably in the office, at a family dinner, or on a date. Shabby Apple is a fashion company for women, by women, and of women.

Before I had been approached about the giveaway, I had never heard of Shabby Apple. But after taking a look at their site, I've come to adore them. Super cute designs, with a vintage flair? What's not to like? And their picturesque photos make me want to travel really badly.

For today's giveaway, you have a chance to win the Tiber dress (featured above)! It's chic and a bit nautical--perfect for the upcoming season! Here are the rules of the giveaway:

1. You must "Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shabby-Apple/56291792791
2. You must follow my blog.
3. Leave a comment telling me you did those things, and let me know which dress is your favorite from the site!

For an additional entry, mention the giveaway in your blog. Then leave another comment telling me you did so!

Thanks and good luck guys! The winner will be posted March 5th! Happy entering!