Little Black {Quilted} Skirt

Balance of Happiness

I've finally surfaced! These past two weeks have been pretty busy... my last study break involved a ten day trip to Barcelona, Sevilla and Morocco and then I came home for four days and left again for Amsterdam for the weekend. I'm working on putting together some blog posts and pictures asap to give you a recap of the trip. 

The trip to Morocco was unlike anything I've ever experienced before, camel rides on the beach, tours through cities that had never seen tourists before, and bus rides through the most beautiful land I have ever seen. I felt like Morocco made an impact on me that was different than any other place I had been before, it was the people that really left me wanting to come back and even see what the rest of Africa is really like. I'd love to be able to do Doctors Without Borders or something along those lines when I get older to really get a less tourist view of what Africa is really like. 

I also learned a lot from the people, one of the tour guides we had when going through Chefchaouen talked about how the people of the area lived long and healthy lives. He was probably 85 years old and was marching us up hills and stairs to reach the top of the mountain that the city is on and he didn't stop smiling the whole time. He also talked about how healthy eating and religion were two important aspects of his life and the lives of the people in the area. The people didn't live extravagant lives like many in America do rather they live healthy and balanced lives.

After so much traveling {I'm not complaining by any means} I just felt a little off balance. Healthy eating went out the door and balance was not something that was possible and I really felt it. My mindset and my health were just a little off and it took me a night to realize that sometimes you just need to frame your mind to think positively and feel balanced. 

Happy Monday! xox

Weekend Wishes

Happy Weekend everyone! 

I just thought that I'd share some weekend links...

Now that I've had more practice cooking this semester I've been pinning more and more recipes to try. I think its time that I tried cooking this (closer to the holidays maybe) and making this as well! 

Have you checked out Matchbook Magazine's November issue? The magazine is very cosmopolitan and has the perfect mix of articles, photography and pieces that make you want to shop away. 

This past Friday I volunteered on what the Danes call a mobile cafe. I spend five hours serving food off of the car to the homeless throughout the city of Copenhagen. We went to seven different stops and were able to talk with the people and serve them some warm food on a freezing cold night. I was humbled at how welcoming and appreciative the individuals were and also for the gentleman who allowed me to join him and as a million questions. Such an amazing experience and one that I am really fortunate that I took part in. I found this link that allows you to look up different organizations to volunteer in the US. I am going to try and make more of an effort when I get home to involve myself further in actively volunteering... I have been donating microloans to individuals on Kiva.org for the past couple of years but there is nothing like seeing directly where your impacts are making a difference. 

Have a wonderful weekend! xox

Window Seats

Whenever the holidays start coming around and I begin to smell the wood burning fires again I always think about curling up with a good book in a little window seat or reading nook. I found some fabulous inspirations that look so cozy and yet are so stylish at the same time! 

Have a great day! xox

Purfection

How adorable are these guys?! I just couldn't help but share... after being away from my brother (Teddy Bear) for almost three months now I have been adding away at my animals page on Pinterest! 

Have a great day! xox

Playing In The Rain

It rains almost every day in Copenhagen and I have to say I've gotten so much use out of my Hunter wellies since I've been here. I've also seen so many adorable rain boots... in all colors and sizes so I thought I would put together a list of some of my favorites that I've found so far! 

Tall boots are the best for the really bad weather... I'm partial to my Hunter wellies (I have the snake skin ones) and I throw one of my patterned inserts when its cold and I'm good to go! As you know from my bow post that I'm partial to anything with a bow, these tall boots are adorable. Another option is to add some pattern with these too.

The medium height boots have become more popular over the past year. They are more compact and certainly less weight to lug around on your feet too! Sometimes I find walking all day in my Hunters can be pretty exhausting so these options are perfect too. I love the pink and black bow options are so cute and of course you can never go wrong with some more Hunters.

Another option is the short boots which are perfect for days when it pours but you need to dress up a little bit. I love the Valentino pair with the bow (of course) and the pink and navy pair add an element of fun to a rainy day. This last pair is actually Jimmy Choo and I love how sophisticated and fabulous they are!  

Have a wonderful day! xox

Monday's Motivation

This quote is phenomenal and it really serves as a reminder that we are in charge of our own lives including the people who we chose to surround ourselves with. I've always been a firm believer that you should surround yourself with people who have positive energy and those that will support you in your goals. I don't mean that they should just tell you what you want to hear, I think some of the best people are those that can provide you with a sense of reality while supporting you at the same time. 

There are plenty of people that I have come across that I call energy drainers or those that don't put as much effort into a friendship as they should and they ultimately get demoted. I guess you could say I did a little experiment this week (I know... all science all the time) I realized that I was the one who always reached out to certain friends from home and they never really reached out to me. So I decided that this week I wasn't going to initiate contact and see what happened. The friends that I were most curious about all contacted me within two days... and I even heard from one friend who graduated from my school last year that I haven't talked to in a month or so (who I call my brother)! It was nice for a change to see not only how you value other relationships but how other people value yours. 

I hope you are all able to foster valuable relationships and know when to promote and demote the individuals that you surround yourself with to energize yourself. 

Have a wonderful day! xox

Weekend Attire

T.G.I.F... I'm so happy that the weekend is upon us and its time to get some things checked off my list before my next two weeks of world traveling and exploring galore. 

A couple of my friends back at school mentioned to me that Homecoming weekend is upon Trinity and while it would be fun to be there, I am so excited for the weekend that I have ahead. I decided to put together a football game look that will undoubtedly be worn by many tomorrow... of course the Barbour is a fall staple on my campus and since the fall chill is in the air I would pair it with a chambray shirt under this fabulous chunky sweater, jeans, hat, sunglasses and riding boots. 

Wishing Trinity luck tomorrow!! 

Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo

Patterns and Pops of Color

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Packing Perfection

{First Row 1, 2, Second Row 3, 4, Third Row 5, 6} 

Time for another travel update. I don't think I've ever traveled so much before in my life but living in Europe is so amazing, its so easy to hop from one country to another for such a short time and spend a few days exploring. I purchased a small rolling suitcase in the beginning of the semester and have been using that ever since I got it.... but I recently purchased a weekend Longchamp bag that I'm so excited to start using too. There is nothing better than having a nice overnight bag or suitcase but at the same time each piece has to be functional and have enough room to hold everything that you need. I put together a little list of what I would call the perfect overnight or weekend bags, sleek and sophisticated and all are bags that you would have forever... What do you think? 

What are your go to weekend bags? 

Monday's Motivation

Happy Monday! 

It's been a busy past two weeks... I went to Switzerland and Germany with my class for a week and then came home and my parents were visiting! I finally caught up on blog posts on my travel blog and have been organizing hundreds of pictures since I got back. It was so nice to get to see new places and be able to show my parents around Copenhagen for a bit but unfortunately it's back to the grind this week. Test and essays, class field trips, and planning for the duration of the semester is in order. 

I've been thinking lately of how quickly this semester is going by, next week is already the third travel break and then before I know it I will be taking finals and packing to go home. It feels like time is flying by more quickly now then ever and I'm trying to prepare for classes and events for next semester while trying to soak up as much of the Copenhagen culture as I possibly can. It will be all about finding a balance here these next couple of weeks and trying to enjoy every second, every bite of Danish food, and every experience while checking off the little things that need to be done for home. 

Time to get to work! Have a great day! xox