California Love

As Winter in Florence approaches, the chilly weather outside has given me some extra time to spend in doors in "il mio appartamento". A few days ago, I was searching through my iPhoto library and stumbled into some old pictures that my sister and I took during her stay for the weekend in Cal Poly. My family came to visit me during April and they stayed at the Madonna Inn. My sister and I took one look at the wildly decorated room and knew we had to take some pictures to document the bazaar eccentric furniture choices.

(Michael Kors-shoes, AA-stockings, Urban-cardigan, F21-jewelry, Mark Jacobs-satchel & Banana Republic-tank)

I switched my outfit later that night because I felt it a little inappropriate to wear a tight, short skirt and stockings to dinner with my family. I'll savor that outfit for more appropriate settings such as cheesy fur/cave-esq induced rooms.

Island Fever

For the last few weeks, the summer sun hasn't really taken a hold in San Francisco and as a result, I find myself reminiscing of my wonderful trip to Hawaii. I wish so badly that I could drive to SFO, purchase a one way ticket to Maui and soak up the ever present 85 degree weather. One of my favorite things about traveling is exploring the area you are in and taking vast amounts of pictures of the decor and style of your vacation spot. Hawaii is filled with bright pops of color that can't help but put you in a better mood instantaneously. If the engaging colors don't peak your interest the food will!

I will admit that using the work obsessed is slightly an understatement when it comes to my feelings for the Twilight series. So I found it perfectly fitting that my vacation book be The Host, a slim 600 page novel by the same author of the Twilight series.

Malasadas are the only doughnuts that I dream about year long. My mom, sister and I drive an hour to the other side of the island to indulge in mass amounts of these donuts. These fat-free doughnuts (I wish) are worth the drive and the wait.

The decor at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel was nothing less than inspiring. The famous "Pink Palace" was illuminated with shades of dark chocolate, luscious blues and of course their signature color: pink. It is Barbies dream house.

345 days till I see you again

Paradise...

Finally, I'm back! These past couple of months have been so chaotic. Filled with projects, exams, and finally one good thing-packing for my annual family trip to Hawaii. This year was slightly more special then the past because my parents treated us to a few nights at the majestic and utterly breathtaking Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki. I must say I never thought for one second of returning home to foggy San Francisco. When I finally have my own apartment I am going straight for my camera and replicating every design the Royal Hawaiian has because it is the perfect image of Island Chic.

I packed semi-light for this trip because my parents pretty much forced my sister and I to, however, there really isn't much to bring considering the majority of our time was spent hanging around the pool and taking walks around the island. My carry on bags were stuffed with flip flops, floral dresses, tons of gold jewelry, flowy tops, a few shorts and numerous bathing suits.

(Forever 21 top and shorts, Bernardo sandals,vintage jewelry & Marc Jacobs satchel)

Good-bye Hawaii, see you in a year :)

Vogue.IT

This has become one of my newly top searched websites that I am now addicted to. My recent acceptance to Italy has made me crazed for looking up classic Italian style (i.e. the epitome of an Italian women, Sophia Loren) and seeing how fashionistas dress over in Italia, a country that is literally shaped like a perfect Gucci boot! With that said, I'm sure I will not be disappointed when I arrive and outfit watch for the first few months. I have been looking up the Vogue-Italia website every morning, dissecting the colors, textures and fabrics that they incorporate in their perfect European outfits. This weekend my mom will be coming down to visit me and my mission for these next couple of days is to convince my mom into switching over from our Vogue-US subscription, to Vogue-Italia. Not that I am not crazy about our fashion in the states, but considering I will be living in Italy for the next year, I find it very responsible of me to pump some Italian fashion 101 into my brain before I take off.

These pictures (via Vogue. it) are what I cannot wait to recreate and put a little American spin on when I get to Florence. I love how these Italian ladies elude so much confidence in their own skin. I hope I'll pick some of that up as well as some killer Mui Mui platforms!... leather jackets, rompers, satchels, dramatic jewelry, floral dresses, and the list goes on and on...

(This is my newest favorite Italian super model Elisa Sednaoui)

Look at those shoes! This is what I'll be hunting down all over Italy :)

VIVA ITALIA!!!

In my 20 (almost 21) years of life in California, this has been by far on my top ten list of most incredible days ever. I just received, literally seconds ago, a letter saying that I got accepted into a program to study abroad in Florence, Italy...for all of next year!! I am on cloud nine and my mind is just in shock trying to process this fantastico news! I’m a pretty big planner, so I can't wait to start organizing when I will go, what clothes to bring and where to shop, although I don’t think that will be to hard to pick up very quickly. In the back of my mind, my intention for this blog was to document the culture, food, fashion (duh) of Europe and my travels throughout the countries, so I am thankfully to know that I will be given this chance to do just that! I guess now all I have to do is wipe off the dust from my Rosetta Stone and learn Italian in four months!

Here are a few of my favorite pics from when I traveled throughout Italy this past summer with my boyfriend. This trip really got me obsessed with all things Italian and hooked on Gelato, specifically gelato from Vivoli...

I love how the Italians think, they told me, "this is mine and not to share because you WILL eat it all", and I did just that...This is the pizza talked about in the book "Eat, Pray, Love", the author was right when she said it tastes just as good as an orgasm.

I must have a thing for marble tigers and lions.

David's got some competition...

The School of Athens, by Raphael in the Vatican!

My favorite view from our apartment in Positano, Italy.

( Both Free People dresses)

My second time that day at Vivoli!

Cinque Terre, my favorite place in Italy, so far.

Funny Italian.

Sorry for all the pictures, I just couldn't help myself!

Tonga, Tonga, Tonga!

Picture yourself in a lush tropical night club with a multitude of colors spilling out everywhere, fantastic live music that plays on top of a pool, rain every 30 minutes, incredible Asian cuisine, super yummy cocktails and literally a flaming volcanic chocolate cake! Can you guess where this is?... Its the one and only Tonga Room under the Fairmont Hotel in the heart of San Francisco! During my spring break, two weeks ago, my family and I went to the immensely fun Tango Room to celebrate my sisters 24st birthday. Trust me when I say, you will not be disappointed when you go. This is the second time I've been and effortlessly you find yourself dancing all night on a fake boat, laughing, singing along to fantastic music and enjoy the festive atmosphere. I took this celebration as a perfect time to finally wear my new Steve Madden booties that I bought over two months ago! This was the perfect place to debut them, but not one to dance all night in, however, they didn't coin the term "pain is beauty" for no reason, these babies proved it. I LOVE THIS PLACE!

I want this tiger in my house.

My Steve Madden booties finally in use!

My sis and I playing with our fruity, tropical drinks... bottoms up!

Freshly manicured nails, thanks to an all girls day with my mom and sister.

(My sister's aqua ring, F21 elephant ring, and my grandma's, now my mom's, vintage cluster of diamond ring)

I wish this image really showed the amazing colors but sadly it doesn't. But you can see the band on the water!

Marc Jacob's satchel bag. Thank you Santa/mom/dad.

(My new favorite H&M jacket, Urban Outfitters dress, American Apparel liquid-tights and of course, the Steve Madden booties)

An end to a fantastic night in the city :)

p.s. this image shows the Tonga Room wonderfully.

"La Bella Vita"

"The beautiful life", is an Italian saying that quickly comes to mind whenever Spring time arises and Summer vacations are in the works. I captured these photographs while on a recent trip I took to Hawaii with my family. The vibrant and electric colors from the rows of flowers, made it nearly impossible not to snag a few pics while on our daily walks to the beach. Hawaii is truly a gorgeous place with perfectly manicured flowers, warm clear blue waters and skies that hold mesmerizing sunsets. I always find it dreadful to have to part from a vacation that effortlessly holds so much beauty and life.

Publish Post

This yellow flower, with a hint of orange, inspired me to paint my nails a tropical Hawaiian punch color while on vacation.

This image is actually hung up in our dinning room. My mom dedicated a wall to my sister and I where many of our flower pictures hang. Its a great (and inexpensive) gift that is easy to make!

While on vacation, my sister and I love to people watch...(and it doesn't hurt that in Hawaii everyone is naturally in their bathing suits ;)

I snapped this image of the clouds moving past the sun while sitting pool side.

The view from my mamma's condo in Kaanapali is truly breathtaking. Don't you just wish you were sipping a cocktail, relaxing on that boat that just drifts along the glistening sea...