five days!

This guy is coming home in five days! If you're new to the blog, you probably didn't know that S and I have been dating for a while :) and right now he's located in Southern California for a temporary work move. The long distance has been tough and by no means ideal, but we are making it work through a lot of visits and frequent flyer miles. We have been lucky to go through our first 10 months without any huge gaps between visits; the longest stretch has been three months or so but since then, we have planned and worked around our schedules to make the time! And the next time is in...five days!!

This one is a special visit for a couple of reasons; #1 is that it is S's birthday! Since we won't be together for the actual day, we'll be celebrating it a little on the early side! I am excited for that, because he was sweet enough to celebrate my birthday on the west coast when I visited him last month (was it only a month ago?!). 

#2 is the warm weather! Philadelphia weather isn't all that great, especially by Los Angeles standards. The humidity can be horrible, the heat can be sweltering and sometimes it feels like we skip the gentle warmth of spring altogether. But I am crossing my fingers for the best! Last time S was here, it was around the holidays, so it was cold and our free time was limited due to family engagements and the frigid temps outside. S definitely doesn't miss the weather here (jerk).

#3 is alllllll the plans I have! Which is probably a total of 2. I have these ideal plans in my head that in all reality probably won't happen, like wine tasting, a beach day trip, a weekend getaway, blah blah. It's going to be a very hectic couple of weeks since I am starting grad school around the same time, but we'll find some fun stuff to do! I don't want it to feel rushed, like we'll have to squeeze everything in - so the big overarching plan is 'no big plans.' let spontaneity reign!

ciao! xo

le cinque terre

I was going through this old cinque terre post and it inspired me to edit some more unpublished photos here on the blog. I am so fortunate to have been here twice - and both times in the beautiful vibrant warmth of summer! On my last visit, S was with me and it was heavenly...we had the best time touring around! We locked our love on the via dell'amore, something I had wanted to do since first setting eyes on this place. That is what I love about Europe, and specifically Italy...there's an eternally growing bucket list that I have, and whenever i'm there so much seems possible and serendipitous.

I love you, Italy. As if you needed reminding...

ciao! xo

manhattan beach / the strand

The cool sweater-weather nights of Southern California have won me over.  The 24/7 summer like state of S's new home had me giddy yet perplexed -  what kind of weather is better than sandals and sweaters? But what to wear?! After dinner one night, S and I decided to take a walk along the Strand to see the views of the sunset from the Manhattan Beach pier. The cut out knit sweater I wore from Banana Republic was a perfect choice for the night - I love shirt so much, I have it in two colors! The open back creates a willowy, drapey effect while the crisp crew neck keeps things preppy. I wore my black harem pants with this to bring my outfit up a notch for dinner. One thing I noticed about Southern California is that most of its towns are like any beach town - if even a part of your outfit isn't relaxed, you kind of stick out. No big statement jewels needed, no pointy heels necessary - just sandals, sunglasses, loose hair and you're good.

Our walk along the Strand was beautiful at sunset. We didn't even plan to walk, but I am so glad we did. I was enamored by the bounteous clumps of roses that lined the properties on the ocean side of our walk. It amazes me how they thrive so colorfully and vibrantly next to the ocean (and this is probably all year round, I'll venture to say). After passing thousands of rosebuds - and stopping to smell a few - we reached the pier. Neither of us had been on the Manhattan Beach Pier, where we watched the brilliantly glowing sunset finally dip down beyond the horizon. Pretty much perfect! Every Friday night should be splashed with this much golden sun.

ciao!! xo

west coast getaway

This past weekend was "spring break," and even in the harsh adult world the time off was pretty generous. Not necessarily generous enough to feel comfortably relaxed, but enough to take a short trip, remember what summer feels like, and maybe bounce back from jet lag. So I hopped over to visit S in California and it was the most idyllic weekend. We did SO much. Last time I visited in August, things were a little hurried because S was still settling in and I was no help in lessening the stress. Now S has been here for 8 months (time flies!) and has kept dozens of sites in mind for us to see. In a blend of amazing weather, good planning, spontaneity and ease, everything came together. Our three day rendezvous felt like an entire week, and we crossed off a number of cool new places off our lists. (What that means for you: a California photo dump in the next couple of posts!)

Our travels up and down the southern parts of California took us all along the coast, down to San Diego and all the way up to Santa Monica. This trip was seriously needed! We had the BEST time ever...the most rewarding kinds of weekends are the ones where you can see a lot but still feel verrrry, very relaxed. I love traveling with my best friend.

more soon! ciao, xo

to seven years!

S and I are celebrating a big one :) I am so excited and proud of us. It is so cool to me that I've known this boy for so long. Since high school! And now, bi-coastally we are doing it. I love you.

ciao, xo

valentine's red

top LOFT (old) | pants banana republic | trench banana republic (old) | heels Vera Wang for Kohls (old) | hat Brixton (sold out!) | watch Kate Spade | wristlet Coach (old)

I've got my red on for Valentine's day, do you?!

It may not seem it, but for me the focal point of this outfit is the draped pants from Banana republic! I first posted about them here, literally bought them the very same day in store, and have fallen in love with the way that they fit/wear. I love that they are work appropriate with a bit of an edge (the gathered bottom is definitely the difference from a normal pair of pants). Paired with a blouse and a little tuck-in, it feels and looks great!

What is everyone doing for Valentine's? If nothing, I hope you are treating yourself. I'm feeling a bubble bath or something. You may know from reading that S and I are kickin' it long distance right now - so of course we are missing each other loads - but I am seeing him in just a few short weeks in sunny California! Can't wait. And I'll definitely be bringing the pants.

ciao! xo

what I love about Christmas

It is a time to be thankful and appreciate the little things - the valuable things that actually could never be replaced. 

I am fortunate to be able to spend this holiday the way I do. For the countless individuals experiencing hardships, it is not only a time to reflect but to help. I have been lucky to grow up with this sense of responsibility to help the needy - whether it is picking up Christmas meals to drop off to families, collecting toys, or donating a small sum somewhere.

I am so so lucky that everyone I love is here.

According to forecast it will be 50 degrees and sunny on Christmas day. But I am thankful, even in the frigid unbearable  cold, to live in a place where we have winters.

Life seems to slow down on this day - the supermarket parking lot is eerily empty, but at the same time in a  good way. It is nice knowing people are in their homes, having a quiet morning, being with their families. I love that sense of quiet. It is sacred.

Merry Christmas to all!

ciao, xo

the loveliest thanksgiving!

 he's home! home! home!

Thanksgiving this year was as simple as could be. No frills, no crazy snafus in the kitchen - just us decking the halls and patiently waiting the year's most awaited meal. Actually I couldn't wait and I snuck in to steal stuffing and turkey pieces quite frequently! I lurked around as we watched Trains, Planes and Automobiles (what a classic!) and set a fire in the fireplace early in the morning. It created such a sense of relaxation and coziness that is making me SO excited for the upcoming few weeks. I love seeing all the lights on the houses nearby, smelling the scent of pine, and imagining all the snow that will fall {hopefully a white Christmas!}

Undoubtedly the best part of Thanksgiving was that S came home! Seeing him and going on aimless drives, going to our favorite restaurant, and crossing things off our must do list was just so nice and even nourishing. One of my favorites moments was Black Friday - which could not have been less stressful. We went to a cozy little cafè and sipped coffee as its flurried outside..magical. Note to self: handle Black Friday the same way next year!

I've been so off the grid lately - my computer is acting up which I am pretty disappointed about. Last year I got a MacBook air and looooved it, no problems until now - the fan is acting up and I'm going to have to take it to the Apple store a second time - frustrating. I am hoping we can resolve it but it's this little worry in the back of my head...

Tomorrow we put S on a plane back for California but it will be a short trip back because he will arrive back home for Christmas in just a few weeks. I can't even explain how I am looking forward to this break! Four days off for Thanksgiving was absolutely perfect, I can't imagine how it will be topped!

lucky, lucky, lucky me

So, if you have been reading this summer you probably know that S has moved temporarily to Los Angeles - and I am all the way in Philadelphia! It's not the first time we have done long distance, and I know we can do it - but I miss him SO much. I went to visit a few weeks ago and now that I have spent that time with him, I miss him even more. I've been really missing talking about our days, being together (and in the same time zone!), and hearing his jokes that make me laugh like a goof. During the trip it was all that and more. I've had to come back down to reality a bit since my trip...school started yesterday! It was a really great day, fresh with new beginnings and all the anticipation and potential that comes with September. Despite this amazing feeling of starting anew, I always feel incredibly sad to see summer go - it is a bittersweet thing to voluntary let it go, only to have it come back again in a year.

When I got home yesterday, there was a package from S addressed to me. Which is pretty fun to come home to! S surprised me with the sweetest, sweetest gifts. He knows that I love these two things - a bouquet of flowers and anything Harry Potter - it was such a pick-me-up and made me feel just so happy. I don't know how I got so lucky. These gifts - all the way from LA! - are from the Warner Bros. studio. He was on tour and sweet enough to think of all the things that I love. I am quite lucky one, and feeling so so appreciative and undeserving. S, I love you, and simply cannot wait to see you. Soon! :)

ciao, loves! xo