more city exploring

necklace Francesca's | tee forever 21 | bag Pratesi | skirt Banana Republic | flats GAP

favorite picks: loreal BB magic | neutrogena eye makeup remover | Revlon lip butter

The combination of the arrival of fall + plentiful coffees + a stroll in the city gets me veeeeerrrry excited indeed! These snapshots are just a few leftovers from last weekend, our epic city weekend - we were the happy guests in what was most likely the best and most extravagant wedding I'll ever be invited to in my lifetime. The bride was stunning - like a prettier  Kate Middleton, if you can even imagine that! During the downtime of the weekend, I found myself at many cafes and in front of all of my favorite Walnut Street haunts - so expect a coffee diaries soon! 

I'm still living off of the high of last weekend, if that's even possible; it was just that good. This weekend is looking to be just as beautiful. I sit typing this with a pumpkin spice latte in hand, and the cool sunny fall wind is breezing through my window gently. It's going to be a good weekend :)

Ciao, xo!

  

snapshots from siena

I loved so many things about solo Siena mornings, one of which was the constant screech of the bats in the air. The light dawn hues in the sky illuminating the Duomo and the rest of the high-walled streets are really one of a kind. These photos above are from a particular morning I remember so vividly, from the end of June (2011) right before the Palio, which I would miss. I would go again two years later and finally see the horse race (click for that!).

Studying abroad in Siena was life-altering, and as cliche as it sounds, I stand by that statement. I think people probably think it is weird how in love I am with Siena and Tuscany and Italy in general. The taste of chianti wine still, for that infinitesimal first second it reaches my mouth, takes me directly to the campo. The warm bricks in the sun smelled a certain way. The nights were utter perfection - cool, blue, dark, and yet so inviting. The sporadic chants and beating of drums down the streets for the upcoming Palio was intimidating, and yet so, so cool. I felt like I was a part of something.

ah, Siena. You're my first travel love. Always, always.

night on the town

dress badgley mischka || rent the runway

Just a peek at this glitzy luxe weekend makes me ache for more! Raspberry champagne on a brisk yet warm September evening had my heart singing...and the sequin dress just made me feel like an absolute movie star. But even better was seeing two high school sweethearts, two of the sweetest lovebirds, finally get hitched in a beautiful church off of Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.

The weekend was not only romantic, or perfect not-quite-summer-but-not-yet-autumn weather, but it was so relaxing and such a fun occasion to get dressed up and go out on the town. Every time I am in Philadelphia I seek out my favorite haunts, but I really do love the excitement of the city and having my own little places. I have my little paper store, favorite pizza place, best brunch, favorite cafe (with latte art!), even bars that I like. Now my favorite hotel. Who am I!? So not a city girl. But it's fun to pretend for a glamorous weekend...

This black tie affair of the weekend was just so beautiful and filled with lively, happy fun. Man, I love weddings.

ciao! xo

a weekend of glitz.

It has been one of those weekends that hasn't stopped until....well, right now, this immediate moment, it feels like. My real concern was that I have been experiencing peak-high levels of stress with work, and I wasn't going to be able to enjoy a beautiful weekend in the city with friends for a legendary, much-anticipated wedding. I am happy to say that I soaked up every moment of the whirlwind city weekend, and I cannot wait to unload it all here...but for now, just a teaser of just how glitzy the weekend was...in the sartorial sense. Anyone ever thinking about Rent the Runway...stop thinking! Just do it!

Until tomorrow...ciao! xo