Buona viaggio!

              Buona viaggio!

I am off and on my way to JFK—next stop Italy! I'll be disconnected for a little while, but when I'm back, boy oh boy will I have lots to share with you! So, until June my lovelies, enjoy the USA and I'll be sure to eat extra gelato for each of you. 

                            -Alex

Free

Packing? Done and done!

I am proud to announce that I have officially finished packing!

I found my mojo yesterday courtesy of Jack Johnson & some google images of Italy.

I have to share with you though, I think I have mastered the art of packing...no really, it's true!

So here's my breakdown;

I'll be gone for 10 days—that calls for 10 outfits and then some extra, right?

wrong.

That calls for editing. 

The #1 easiest way to overpack is with excess clothes—sweaters, shorts, beach cover ups, shoes, and that dress you never wore but hey! I'll pack it cause it's vacation, a chance to try new things and I'll actually finally get to wear it!

I'm telling you...you're still not going to wear it.

Suggerimento numero uno (how cultural of me)—Edit, edit, edit!! 

If you pack 10 outfits for 10 days, reach back into that suitcase and take out a pair of shorts, a dress, and a pair of shoes—cause lets be honest—you're going to reach that point where you just want to not even think thoughts just unwind.

 We get lax, we're going to reach for our favorite pair of shorts, and our most comfortable shoes.

Speaking of shoes, that brings suggerimento numero due—think coherently & mindfully of color.

 I'll pick on my mom for this one because she is the perfect example of someone who packs a wool scarf when we go to the caribbean. (although I'll her a high five under the table for that one the scarf actually did came in handy one odd, chilly night).

When packing think where you are going and logically ask yourself, "will I really wear/use this hat? This heavy sweater? This gauzy dress? These stiff, never broken in Jack Rogers?!"

 Mom strikes again with the brand new Jacks—however they are a perfect pack for our little getaway—we just need to break them in before we go since I don't think the streets of Venice is the best place to start. 

That being said, be mindful of colors and accessories when packing.

If you're aspiring to be that minimalist packer who can mix and match tops, bottoms and shoes—pick a color scheme!

It makes this task 10x easier and more expandable with outfit options.

For this trip I picked a chiffon-y/Mediterranean vibe with a color scheme of blues, white/gray and a pop of orange with gold.

With this, I was able to pick pieces that will all coordinate, only pack 3 pairs of shoes, and minimal jewelry.

SO there we have it. My two top tips/advice for when you are packing for a trip.

& what it all boils down to is what you feel most comfortable in—you're traveling for yourself, to see other cultures, embrace new things, and just unwind—don't let the stress of what to wear and pack stir you up—get out there and have some fun.

-Alex

Brother blue

the whole gang's here.

Now that my brother is home for the summer, we have a full nest again.

Of course, it being Sunday, we all went to church together—and unintentionally—but kinda cutely—all coordinated in blue.

My weekly-Sunday-uplifting-inspo for you today is this verse in James 1:19-20,

"Understand this; You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires"

I really liked this verse because it reminded me —as I sat there next to my brother and parents—that often family members become annoyed and sassy with each other because well, we have to live with them 24/7 and we kinda feel like we are allowed to lose it on them.

What we don't realize, is the destructiveness of an uncontrolled tongue.  

This verse makes me aware that I need to remember this;

My family does everything and then some for me.

They are always there to support me,

love me,

laugh with me...and at me,

& help and advise me.

So, as the nest is full again this summer, I need to remember these three little things;

1. Be quick to listen—zip your lip Alex and open your ears!

2. Slow to speak—think about my words before I say them.

3. Slow to get angry—take a step back and breathe, don't lose my cool.

I love my family, and I love spending my summer with them even more.

This is all for today, I'm headed out the door for my first beach day of the season with my brub. 

-Alex

Just a little TLC

& a needle, thread and some patience.

I felt very skillful today as I channeled my inner Christian Dior and Giada de Laurentiis. 

This dress was a diamond in the rough that I found in the Providence Forever 21—the beading was unraveling, some were even missing and it was a wrinkled mess—actual looking quite hopeless.

I always feel overly ambitious in Forever 21—I keep my eyes open for those hurt and damaged pieces that are crying out loud for just a little attention and TLC.

It's a win-win situation

I get to save a buck from buying damaged/marked down merchandise, and the stores luck out with a sale and don't have to keep these sad pieces floating around anymore.

& let me tell you—I have never been disappointed from my results.

 All that's required is some free time, a little fiddling around with the dress, top, skirt and/or even the occasional piece of jewelry, and some creativity. 

Now, this little DIY will be put to very good use very soon because...I'm going to Italy! 

T-minus 4 days to be exact.

& my empty suitcase is screaming my name as we speak.

-Alex

Golden goodness

Messy hair, messy room?

OK OK—I admit it, i've been putting off putting my room back together because, tbh, I have Pinterest DIY's to do!

#1 on my "not really necessary but way more fun to-do" list was to fix and rearrange the bookshelf in my room.

Originally, the books on the bottom shelf were mostly black and blah, so I got a little crafty and channeled my inner 7th grader and made some paper bag book covers out of an assortment of old shopping bags that i've collected over the years.

I'm a book hoarder—it's true.

I like to buy my school books and get this...I actually keep them all. 

I know, keeping school books? In this day and age of buying and selling online?! WHY?!

I've heard it all from my school mates, but I like looking back through all i've read and reading my little margin notes—it's my nerdy-guilty pleasure.

-Alex

Back at it

& all summer-fied and ready to go!

Phew. What a whirlwind of a semester—and first year of college—that was. 

I cannot believe I am home for three months with no school work obligations—I've never felt more free.

This past Sunday was Mother's day and my mom and I had some things to do in Boston—we took advantage of the time we had, and spent a good chunk of our days wandering the city together.

Our Boston trip however, put me behind the ball in making my Mother's day card on time.

I am a sucker for handmade cards and have made it a tradition to make them on Mother's (and Father's) day—nothin' says love like some handcrafted cards and handwritten words. 

So, I dug out my scissors from my "college stuff" pile of boxes (which is slowly but surely swallowing up my room at home) and got to crafting.

-Alex

Bare essentials

Gimme a notebook and a pretty view and I'll conquer finals.

Just a few inspirational snapshots for those fighting with me through finals week—I woke up this morning (courtesy of the beautiful sunshine) at 6:30 AM and had the urge to go run.

So, first I grabbed my things and ran to reserve—or more like mark my territory by throwing every paper/object from my backpack across the table—this room in Ruane & then hit the gym.

Fun fact for ya, this table was President Woodrow Wilson's —maybe it will bring me good luck while I study—how inspirational.

Good luck to all of you out there studying, hang in there & go get a coffee.

-Alex

Pause

Rewind and play.

It is full force finals week now and I'm only 1/5 of the way done—so you'll have to forgive me for this week of pause in my posting.

I had to share with you however, about my Sunday—it was just so wonderful I wish I could rewind back and play through it again.

Any day that starts with sunshine coming through your window is an indication of a good day. 

Even though I had a stack of notes just waiting to be read through religiously and highlighted until the pages looked like a Christmas tree—I ventured off campus to church with a few friends.

I felt renewed, refreshed, and ready to study after spending my morning in meditation and quietness.

My favorite verse from the pastor's sermon carried with me throughout the rest of my day errr...and Monday morning...3:00 am I awoke with my essay idea—yay!

The verse was Isaiah 41:10

" Don't be afraid, for I am with you. 

Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. "

This verse helped me more than I can say. 

When I came back on campus and had to face the ugly reality of finals week I felt it was impossible for me to even start—impossible for me to remember any of the material, and just straight up impossible for me to complete it all.

But, I just had to keep reminding myself of this promise. 

-Alex