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

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