The Italian Adventure- Rome!!

There really aren't even words to describe Rome.  I never thought I would like it as much as I did.  From the incredible architecture and history to the food, fashion, and landmarks- Rome really was as good as people say it is.  

Some of the highlights from this trip were seeing such famous places- The Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Trevvi Fountain, and even a cat sanctuary in the midst of Roman ruins.  So cool!

The Italian Adventure- Vatican City

A little note: I'm actually back home, in America (eeep!) But since I'm a little behind on blogging, I'm going to go ahead and finish up with my travel posts.  Thank you for sticking with me through my terrible blogging!  

Today is part 2 of my Italy trip.  Although Vatican City is technically it's own country- the smallest in the world, it's hard for me to mentally separate it from Rome.  

 St. Peter's Basilica

The Swiss Guard still keep Vatican City safe.  We learned that all of these guys, despite their somewhat jester-like dress, are Swiss war-trained soldiers, with no wives or kids, that are between the ages of 18 and are Catholic themselves.  Pretty hard-core if you ask me.

The inside of the Basilica.  In person, it feels SOOO big.  A picture could never do it justice. 

Fun fact- Only the Pope can celebrate mass under this.

Inside the Vatican Museums... The ceilings were as much of an exhibit as anything!

No pictures inside the Sistine Chapel, so this was as close as I could get.  

We saw the Pope!!!

If I were to have a Christmas List

Although I've saved for quite a bit to help pay for this trip (and all of the mini trips too) this semester in Spain would not have been possible without help from my family.  I am so incredibly thankful for their graciousness to make this trip possible.  With that said, this trip pretty much is/will be my Christmas for the next few years- which I am totally fine with.  I am so excited to be home with my family and celebrate Christmas how it should be celebrated- with the focus on the true meaning of Christmas. 

However, it's always fun to google pretty things, so if I were to have a Christmas list, this is what it would look like...

Non Clothing/Shoes/Accessory Items

1)  An espresso machine.  During the semester I work in a coffee shop, and I have grown to love a good latte in the morning.  But who can afford to pay $4 for one everyday?  

2) Photoshop.  So that I can edit pictures on my own and add effects without having to use something like Picnik... See below for further examples on why this would be helpful.

3) A cute mini-fridge.  The past two years, my room-mate and I shared her fridge.  But after studying abroad I am going to (hopefully) be in my own room, and need one for myself!

4) A vespa.  I think a light, non pearly blue is the color for me, but I certainly wouldn't turn any down.  Obviously, this is one of the more "dream on" type of gifts, but after my Vespa experience, they'll always have a fond place in my heart.  

Clothing/Shoes/Accessories

5) A fur vest.  So maybe these vests were more "on trend" in years past... But it wasn't until this year that I realized how much I would actually wear one.  

6) Leopard Loafers.  So ugly, so cute at the same time.  I would love to wear these with some jean capris, a black blazer, and a statement necklace.  

7) This TOMS sweatshirt.  TOMS are one of those things that I was completely not attracted to until I received my first pair for Christmas last year.  It's safe to say that I'm now completely obsessed.  If you haven't heard about their movement, check it out, right now.  Such a worthy cause, and such an awesome sweatshirt- it even has hidden pockets!

8) Pretty brown boots.  I've been searching for the perfect pair to splurge on for almost 2 years.  I would love a tall cognac colored pair with just a tiny bit of detail- like these side buckles.  

9) Vintage big glasses.  While I love my glasses, I generally wear them for practicality.  While in Europe, I've noticed that most people treat glasses as just another accessory.  My favorite kind are some like these- tortoiseshell brown that are slightly vintage looking (kind of like, smaller Ray-bans with a tiny cat eye.)

The Italian Adventure- Milan and Verona

Thanks to a week off of school, last week my friends and I had a glorious week long break in which to travel!  I know that we've done quite our share of traveling this semester, but they're all short little weekend trips, so it was nice to have a little longer to spend exploring somewhere new.  

It was kind of crazy listening to everyone's plans in between classes at school.  Almost everyone went somewhere, and those places ranged from all over the UK, to Amsterdam to Barcelona, to Paris, to Switzerland, and to where my friend Andrea and I finally settled on... ITALY!

To make the most of our 6 day trip, we spent time in 3 different cities- Milan, Verona and Rome- though Rome claimed the majority of our time.

Verona, a little town just south of Milan, is known for being the hometown of Romeo and Juliet.  When visiting the city, you can actually visit Juliet's balcony at the house belonging to the De Capellos (the Capulets!) 

Touching Juliet's breast is actually seen as a sign of luck... awkward....

From Verona, we trained back to Milan to spend a few hours taking in the gorgeoussss fashion district, as well as a few other sights.  

In front of one of the FIVE D&G stores in the area!

Prada Milan.  In Milan.  I die.

And the Duomo.  I would have loved to go to the top, but we were rushing so much!  Thankfully we had plenty of time in Rome.  That post is coming next..