Outfit: Tampa River Walk

Is anyone else super jealous of Taylor Swift's squad (#squadgoals)? Well, I am. In fact, Britt and I have long discussed our desire to assemble our own squad of amazing, empowered women (why is it so hard to make female friends as you age?). Fortunately, we have made some serious headway on this. First, I met Jen in Florence. Then we added Jess. And now we have found another kindred spirit (who is actually local!) - Kelly! Not only does Kelly have a fab fashion and lifestyle blog, but she also designs a line of super-soft and charming tees and sweatshirts. Our squad is really coming together nicely, now if we could all live in the same city.

Last Tuesday before I left, the 3/5 of the squad that was local ventured out to the "new" Tampa Riverwalk. I had not seen it since it was officially completed. I feel like the Riverwalk has been in the works since I first moved to Tampa (ages ago), so it was nice to see the finished product. It is basically a long trail along the Hillsborough River that you can bike or walk with several parks and art/sculpture displays disbursed along the way. It was especially hot when we went, so we didn't stay long, but I am sure that when I return home in December, I will be spending a lot more time along the Riverwalk (which also has a bike share station, who does like bike rides along the river?).

This red gingham skirt was one of the first things I purchased when I returned home. I don't normally shop at the Limited, but I couldn't resist it. Sadly, the skirt is almost completely sold out (only extra smalls left), but I did find a similar version, although fair warning it is from Chicwish (you can read my review of Chicwish here).

I must admit that I struggled to find a top to pair with the skirt (white tops are not a busty lady's friend). I finally stumbled upon this ruffled eyelet top, which I realized I could pair with my new favorite flats. These are definitely the "it" flats for fall, I feel like I have seen them everywhere. But I couldn't help myself, I loved them. Plus they are comfortable enough for walking around Florence in. I have linked a couple options, since they too seem to be selling out fast!

I am probably arriving in Italy as you read this. Hopefully I will be able to recover form my jet lag quickly, especially since I have to work tomorrow! It was harder than expected to leave Tampa. I figured I would be itching to get back to Italy, but I stayed just long enough to settle back into my old routines and feel like I was home. I am sure once I arrive in Florence, however, I will fall right back into my old routines there as well.

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Wear Now // Wear Later: Peasant Blouse

There is nothing better than an article of clothing that can transition through seasons. I wouldn't say that the 70's were my favorite decade for fashion, but I must admit that I like a good peasant blouse, flare jeans, and fringe bag every once in a while.

I found this peasant top at Anthropologie just the other day. I was immediately attracted to the gorgeous colors. I was sold, however, when I realized that I could pair it with shorts, sandals, and a straw hat for late summer (and for some exciting travel plans I have coming up), and I could also embrace that 70's vibe and wear it this fall with boots and flared jeans.

Boho silhouettes aren't the easiest thing for a busty girl to wear, but if you invest in a well-cut peasant blouse with just the right pattern, you can really elongate your frame with longer flared jeans and boots. Even though 70's-style influences seem to reappear every couple years, the 70's vibe is very strong this fall. What are your thoughts on this trend, love it or leave it?

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Beach Bum

One of the best parts about being home is visiting some of my favorite Florida beaches. I really missed the white sandy beaches I am used to. Italian beaches are gorgeous, but super rocky. Earlier this week I spent a couple days at two of my favorite beaches - Siesta Key and Clearwater Beach.

Siesta Key is a gorgeous more "untouched" beach just south of Sarasota. Because it is an outlying island (or key as we call it), it has the most incredible white and fluffy sand. It feels like velvet between your tows. In fact, it is a 99% pure quartz beach. This special sand actually keeps the beach cooler than other normal sand (i.e. pulverized coral) beaches. In addition to having the whitest and most gorgeous sand in Florida (and perhaps much of the world), it is also clear and shallow, making it very safe. Although I did see a dead baby hammerhead shark washed up on the beach (poor little guy). The combination of super-white sand and shallow green and blue water make for some gorgeous pictures (as you can see).

Unlike Siesta Key Beach, Clearwater is closer to Tampa and much more developed and commercialized, but it is definitely our go-to beach around here. Clearwater doesn't naturally have particularly good sand, but not to worry, the city is resourceful and actually imports soft, white sand. There is much more to do on Clearwater Beach, you can relax under umbrellas and cabanas, rent paddle boats and jet skies, or hang out on Pier 60.

Have you been to Siesta Key or Clearwater before?

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What is Authentic Travel?

I love helping people plan their trips to Italy whenever I can. I am happy to give advice and recommendations (which you can find lots of here) because I want to share a place that has given me so much joy in life, and where I have made so many incredible memories. But there is one question that I receive time and time again that truly puzzles me – How can I have a more authentic experience in Italy (or abroad in general)?

It is the notion of authenticity in this question that perplexes me. Searching for an authentic experience seems to be the new trend in travel and what tourists and travelers are striving for. How many times have you heard someone brag about finding off-the-beaten-path restaurants or having interactions and experiences with “locals” that are superior to other travelers’ because these were “authentic?”

But what constitutes “authentic” travel? Let’s take Italy for example. Can you experience the “real” Florence? Since most travelers romanticize and idealize their destinations, many visitors to Florence are disappointed to find the famous Renaissance city overrun with tourists, brimming with English speakers, and lacking local artisanal products (like leather… sorry to disappoint, but almost all of the leather handbags are made in China now).

Does that make Florence an inauthentic Italian city? Of course not. In fact, since the Renaissance Florence has been a very international place and tourists have been flocking to see the art collection of the Medici Grand Dukes since as early as the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Thus, you could argue that a Florence full of tourists and that is home to a thriving international community is the “real” Florence. You will find that almost all of the Italian cities you visit will have a different character, and none of these cities are more authentic than the other – just different.

From the overcrowded Vatican Museum and Florence Duomo to the small trattoria on the outskirts of town, all of Italy is authentic. I question this new trope of authenticity only because I don’t want anyone to miss out on incredible experiences and sights, or make traveling more difficult and costly, simply for some arbitrary notion of authenticity. Dividing modes of travel, experiences, and places of interest into two opposing categories of authentic and inauthentic is completely subjective! In fact, people who criticize certain destinations or experiences as inauthentic are the very ones who have been privileged to visit them in the first place.

While privileging certain types of travel or interaction as authentic irritates me, I think some of the ideas driving this concept are well intentioned. For example, visiting small, family-run restaurants, exploring places off-the-beaten-track, and interacting with locals are always a good ideas. But these are not the only forms of legitimate interaction. In fact, The Atlantic has a great article on the destructive tropes that often accompany the notion of authentic travel - static views culture/history and perpetuating the idea of the noble savage (you can read the entire article here).

As important as it is to explore and see more than just the highlights, it is equally important not to skip the highlights simply because they are famous or crowded. After all, they are famous and crowded for good reason. Of course, you want to avoid tourist traps that are just there to rip you off, but visiting major tourist attractions doesn’t mean you are not having a real or valuable travel experience.

Both group travel (which is usually seen as less authentic) and solo travel have their advantages and disadvantages (you can read more about my take on group travel here). At the end of the day you have to choose what is right for you and how you want to travel. Bottom line - Pursue what you enjoy not what others deem acceptable or desirable. If I could give any advice, it would be to diversify your experiences and have a balance of the established and more famous sights with your own personal exploration.

What are your thoughts on the notion of authentic travel?