Weekend in Milano

sweater (old, similar) // brocade skirt (similar) // sunnies // hat (similar) // gloves (purchased in Florence, love these) // bag // boots

Can you believe that I only have one week left in Italy? Me neither! Time has seriously flown by since August. The weekend before last, Anna and I decided to have one last girls weekend together. We wanted to road trip to Slovenia, but with very few days left to spare, we opted instead for a quick girls weekend in Milan. I love Milan, but I rarely go! It is definitely Italy's biggest and most modern city. I mean they even have 24-hour grocery stores and pharmacies (unheard of in the rest of Italy).

Of course, the biggest reason to go to Milan is the shopping. Even if you can't afford the Italian designers, strolling the main shopping streets of Via Montenapoleone and Via Della Spiga to see the incredible window displays and amazing fashion is still worth it. When we walked past Celine and I saw these incredible fuchsia sunnies, I could not resist! But here is the thing about Milan, things are often available there that you can't really get anywhere else. I tried to find them online, but they were hard to come by. I found the style, they just aren't available in fuchsia outside of Italy/EU (from what I can find).

Armed with fashionable statement sunnies, Anna and I spent the rest of the weekend sightseeing and exploring our favorite sights. My favorite is Milan's gothic Cathedral. It is absolutely stunning and unique. From afar it looks like intricate lace. Up close, however, you realize just how massive it is. I love how they let you climb the duomo and explore the architecture up close.

Other sights in Milan that should not be missed are the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele, Ambrosian Library, the Medieval Piazza dei Mercanti, and Castello (castle). I also love the little Medieval Via Fiori Chiari where fortune tellers still offer tarot card readings. In addition to sightseeing, Anna and I splurged on a nice dinner at Curò and then grabbed a drink on the nearby street of Corso Como, which is full of nightlife.

Sadly, I will spend my last weekend in Italy packing, which I am sure will be a nightmare. How did I acquire so much in one year (don't answer that!)?

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Outfit: Juxtaposition

dress (similar) // coat // hat (love this one) // sunnies // scarf (and reverse here) // tights // socks // gloves // bag // shoes (old, similar)

I love getting dressed in the morning. I love trying on different outfits and mixing up my old pieces in new ways. And, I especially love experimenting and trying unexpected combinations, like this red lace dress and black pom-pom beanie. I think the juxtaposition between the dressy lace and casual wool beanie and windowpane scarf just works. Also, I was cold and need a hat lol.

I have also learned the trick for wearing your favorite knee-highs and thigh-highs in colder weather, simply wear them over nude tights. I have become so accustomed to wearing tights everyday, going home to Florida for Christmas is going to be so weird!

Sadly, this little red lace dress by Paul and Joe is sold out. But, I have found several great alternatives below because red lace is always a good idea and perfect for the holidays. And as you can see, red lace can also be dressed down.

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My Christmas Wish List

I love making a good list, and when it is centered around things I want, even better. I am a little worried about returning home at the end of the month because my desire to shop until I drop grows with each passing day. I so miss shopping in the States - the style and my favorite brands and stores. It is going to take a lot of self-control not to go crazy! Hopefully the holidays will distract me and remind me what matters more, getting home to see my friends and family.

My favorite kind of presents to give and receive are the little things that you wouldn't normally splurge on for yourself. Maybe it is a nice candle, your favorite purse in a different color, a decorative journal, or over-priced pjs. Things you would love to have, but feel guilty buying for yourself, or because you choose to prioritize your money differently (like clothing and handbags lol). There is definitely a time and a place for practical gifts (I do love a gift card), but if someone knows you well enough, then they should be able to surprise you with something just a little bit indulgent.

Here's what's on my list: the sweetest little journal (love the green color) // a chinoiserie vase (I can't get enough of this trend) // my favorite underwear in the world // a fun makeup gift set (I am obsessed with brows) // plaid pjs (you can never have enough) // a stylish Fitbit // a great clutch (I mean it's pink and fluffy!) // the perfect stripe shirt (just when you thought you couldn't love a stripe shirt more, they add bows!) // cheeky pencils // a bright red mini-bag // world's cutest pencil case (for my inner nerd)

What's on your wish list?

PS - Here's a fun history on the origins of the abbreviation Xmas!

Six Things to do on a Rainy Day in Paris

In a perfect world, we would only travel when the weather was perfect. But as we know, that just isn't going to happen. Traveling during the summer months in Europe will typically ensure better weather, but that sunshine also comes with more crowds and higher prices. If you want to travel off season, which I highly recommend, you don't have to let weather ruin your good time. As Britt and I discovered on our trip to Paris last month, there are lots of things to do on rainy days in Paris!

Here are six fun things you can do in Paris on a rainy (or supper cold) day:

Visit the Catacombs
The catacombs of Paris are equally creepy and cool. Unlike the catacombs on Rome, they contain lots and lots of human bones (of about 6 million people). The catacombs were started in the 18th century to solve two of Paris's problems - over flowing cemeteries and frequent cave-ins. The millions of bones placed in networks of old mines soon became a curiosity for travelers and have remained so today. The arrangement of the bones is also striking, some might even say they are artistic and beautiful. It is definitely a unique (and dry) experience.

Go on a Sewer Tour
Believe it or not, Paris's sewers have a long and fascinating history. The city constructed its first sewer in the 14th century but it wasn't until Napoleon III that the modern day sewer system was born. Like the metro, Paris pioneered the idea of underground waste and water management. It might be a smelly tour, but it is definitely fascinating to explore some of the early parts of Paris's still-functioning historic sewer (there is also a museum).

Explore the Historic Covered Galleries
Modern day travelers aren't the only ones annoyed by Paris's temperamental weather. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, enclosing small shopping streets under glass roofs became a popular means to weather-proof a day spent shopping, dining, or sneaking away for something a bit more sinister. Today these historic covered arcades are hidden architectural gems full of shops, antique stores, book stores, and cafes. There are quite a few left in the city, you just have to know where to look! Most are on the right bank and relatively clustered together, making it easy to visit many of them in the same day. There is a great guide here.

Get a Museum Pass
Paris has some of the greatest museums in the world, which are perfect for bad-weather days. Both the Louvre and the d'Orsay have great restaurants, cafes, and wifi. There is even a shopping mall underground connect to the Louvre. If you can, try to plan your museum visits for the days with the worst weather, and to save money and time, you can purchase a museum pass. And here is one of my best Paris tips: there is a tobacco shop in the underground shopping area of the Louvre that sells tickets and museum cards and, unlike the main entrances, they rarely have a line!

Make New Friends at the Cat Cafe

Britt and I loved the cat cafe! Such a wonderful idea. Fill a cafe with adorable rescue cats and let people love them and play with them. It really is a win-win. Take my word for it, cake and coffee taste even better with sweet kitty cuddles. Just make sure you book ahead, reservations are required! You can check out their website here.

Go Shopping
When all else fails you can indulge in one of Paris's greatest pastimes - fashion! I think it goes without saying that the city has amazing shopping. The big department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are perfect for rainy days (again they have it all, coffee, food, and wifi lol).


Remember, Paris is always a good idea, rain or shine!

Outfit: Plaid on Plaid

beanie (old, love this one) // sunnies // scarf // coat // plaid popover (a long-time favorite and recently re-released!) // jeans (old, similar) // boots (similar) // bag // gloves

I love mixing all patterns in unexpected ways, but I really love mixing plaids, especially this time of year. There is just something about chilly weather and the holidays that suits plaids perfectly. Our last day in Paris was particularly rainy and chilly, so I bundled up in my favorite plaid popover (which has recently been released, yay!) and my oh-so-warm plaid blanket scarf. Love or hate the blanket scarf trend, you have to admit they are amazing in cold weather!

The key to successfully mixing plaids is to following one of these methods:
1) Mix two plaids that have a similar color palette, but are inverted (i.e. one with a light-color base and one with a dark-color base).
2) Mix plaids that have complimentary colors (like red and green for the holidays!).
3) Mix plaids that have similar colors, but are different in size.

Mixing plaids (and prints for that matter) is definitely a bold look. But what's not to love? And there are so many great plaid pieces available at the moment. This skirt and this popover are definitely on my Christmas wish list!

Shop all of my favorite plaid pieces below!

Academic Tips: Networking + Asking For Help

There’s this notion that being, or becoming, a successful academic depends exclusively on a person’s brilliance and dedication to their studies. As much as I wish one’s natural abilities and commitment were the only determinants of one’s success, this simply isn’t the reality in academia, or in any field/profession for that matter. Fueling this perception is the fact that many in academia were drawn to intellectual pursuits because they are naturally introverted or lack social skills. That’s a nice way of saying that a lot of academics are socially awkward and/or don’t play well with others. 

If there is one thing I have learned in my years in graduate school, it is that no matter your brilliance you absolutely must put yourself out there to network within your field and seek help from established scholars in order to succeed. First, it is important to understand that networking is not the same as participating in an old school, “good ol’ boys club.” That is to say, by professionally networking you aren’t participating in a system that is designed to exclude people in order to ensure the power and success of a select few. In contrast, networking is open to all and allows you to engage with like-minded scholars and gain exposure for your work. 

Here are some ways to network as a grad student:

Conferences 
Conferences are a very traditional form of academic networking. They often feel stuffy and awkward, but it is important that you both give papers/presentations and attend other scholars’ papers/presentations. In addition to presenting and attending, you should push yourself to ask thoughtful questions and introduce yourself to the presenter following their talk (especially if they work in the same or a related field).

Email Introductions
Again, a blind email introduction feels awkward. Scholars, however, are always excited to “meet” junior scholars working in their field, especially since fields are often very specialized. When you do email, make sure you have something to say. Don’t just tell them about you; let them know how their work has influenced your own (who doesn’t love flattery?). Finally, try to ask a meaningful question. This will hopefully start a significant dialogue!

Academic Networking Sites
Make sure that you are aware of the relevant academic networking websites for your field. These sites are used to announce things like conferences, publications, and job openings. Academia.edu (aka “Facebook for academics”) has become a very important site for scholars to connect. Make sure you have an updated profile and samples of your work. 

Social Networking 
Believe it or not, many historians have taken to twitter and they call themselves “twitterstorians” (with a hash tag and everything). Twitter is a fun and casual way to interact with scholars (who are people too!) and there are lots of important scholars who tweet regularly. I have even live-tweeted a conference for the institution I am researching at in Florence. Social media isn’t going anywhere and I imaging it will only become more important with future generations of scholars.

Cooperative Research
Finally, if your research allows for collaborative or interdisciplinary projects and research, you should definitely pursue it! I am seeing more and more grants geared to these types of collaborative projects.

As important as networking is, it is even more important that you don’t stop at making connections. You need to use the connections that you make! That means not being afraid to ask for help or advice. And most importantly, you want to create connections with scholars who can one day write letters of recommendation for you when you apply for grants and jobs. 

One final thing to remember, don’t just focus on networking with the most well-known people in your field. Horizontal connections with your peers, or those slightly above you, are just as fruitful. 


If you have any networking tips please share!

Outfit: Bright Tights, Big City

dress // shirt (old, similar) // bow (similar) // coat // tights // bag // shoes // headband

My favorite day in Paris was definitely our third day. We finally saw the sun and, although it was still very chilly, we decided to rent bikes for the afternoon. We started our morning with a stroll through our favorite neighborhood (which was also where we stayed), the Marais. Not only is this neighborhood lively, but it is also home to some of the city's most beautiful and colorful doors, which I have mapped here (I have a serious obsession with Parisian doors).

I love just strolling the Marais while periodically stopping to enjoy coffee, pastries, and the brightly-colored doors. Door gazing isn't exactly Britt's favorite pastime, but she is a good sport and is easily bribed with macarons. Inspired by the doors' jewel-toned hues, I wore my favorite blue/teal tights paired with my favorite Zara dress, complete with pussy bow (I can't resist a good bow). I blame Kate Spade and Blair Waldorf for my love of brightly-colored and patterned tights and pussy bows.

After our morning stroll, we grabbed our bikes from Paris Bike Tours (only 15 euro for the day and so much easier than having to return the Vélib’ bikes every 30 min) and headed towards the Isle of Saint Louis, one of my favorite spots in the city. The island is not only beautiful and serene, but filled with colorful doors, quaint cafes, and gorgeous views of the Seine. From there we biked to the Laduree on Rue Bonaparte to pick up some much needed snacks, before carrying on to the Luxembourg Gardens. We spent the rest of our afternoon having a macaron picnic in the gardens while enjoying the sunshine. Talk about a perfect day!


What your perfect day in Paris look like?

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