just you and me · and the mediterranean sea.

i've been craving a wine tour this entire trip. i really wanted to see the italian countryside, taste good wine and get away from the city.

Visiting Danielle's family turned out to be the wine tour that I have been searching for. We travelled from Palermo to Agrigento, a two hour bus ride east of Palermo and were greeted by Danielle, her cousin and her aunt Nina...who ended up becoming our official vacation "Nonna".

Arriving in 45 degree heat with no AC made us ready to chill and do the least amount of movement as possible. We were driven to their 'campania' which is considered their country/cottage house.

Nestled in the top hills of the Sicilian mountains, we arrived to a stunning rustic house that was said to be over 200 years old.

the view
In the campania house were were greeted by at least 25 people who were all, in someway, related to Daneille. They were so warm and welcoming and were happy to be hosting us "americana girls".

two of the many nonnas

Although I loved the sight of barrels of wine and happy italian people...the best part of the house was the sweet, sweet aroma of the food being cooked. What it was...I didnt care. I just needed it in my stomach...asap.

We began our feast with wine. One glass led to 3 and 3 became 5 and the next thing we knew we were running around the countryside...singing, doing limbo, doing photoshoots and singing italian songs off key.


On Najah.. Top: H&M, Skirt: Guess, Sunglasses: Raybans, Purse: Antiprima-nueve from Winner's

Area inside the house.

Random gate and toy

The best part of the whole day was being tricked into going to one area of the house where we got drenched by buckets of water courtesy of Danielles cousins.

After our amazing day, we did however, stay away from red wine for the next few days.

Tweet

you make me very, merry happy

If i win the lottery I know where my first purchase will be. Capri.
We rented a boat for 20 euro each and had the most amazing time on it. We hit all the main sites that surround the coast of the island and docked the boat...jumped off it...swam and repeated this for 3 hours. We had the cutest little boat driver (who we also used as our personal photographer! haha) and bought champagne and fruits to tide us over as we tanned on the white leather couches on the boat. I dont think I will ever have a better moment than those few hours. It was pure bliss and no picture, words or video can even measure up to how you feel in that moment.
As amazing as it was...me and Stacey decided to head back the next day and actually see the city of Capri...not just the amazing view from the boat.
We took the gondola up the hilly island and couldnt believe the views...and the vibe. Each store..each restaurant...each person (minus those with the massive Nikon cameras) screamed lifestyles of the rich and famous. I could get used to it..thats forsure.



These are the lovely postcards I purchased from a store on the island. It came in a set of 20 and were all old photos from the 50s and 60s of people vactioning and living in Capri. So pretty.

Wearing: French Connection Dress
Me and Stacey then took another ferry from Capri to the beach town of Postiano. Its funny how you can think nothing can top a view...but then in some way another place makes you gawk all over again. Postiano indeed did this. LOVE.

Staceys top: Forever 21, Glasses: Ray Ban
As heartbreaking as it was to leave Sorrento, we packed up our stuff and made our way to Sicily. A few good dwells were had, some bickering as well ( 6 girls, 90 degree weather and may I add its us) and we finally arrived in Palermo.

Dress: Garage sale in San Francisco. I never was a fan of the maxi dresses but then I tried one on and was like WOAH...i am missing out. So comfy.

My friend Najah. I love how she combined navy, black and auqa. She pulls it off so well.
Dress: H&M, Belt: Coach, Shoes: Guess, Earrings: Aldo

Tomorrow we head to Danielles town in Agrigento for some more beach days. Somebody thought I was Mexican yesterday so I think my tan is turning out quite nice!

Tweet

all i want...is all i need

We arrived in Sorrento on Saturday morning and since then have fell deeply in love with this little town on the coast. Do people actually live here? Whoever does...I am jealous.
Mopeds,hills,markets and ports make up this amazing piece of land.

Tunnels of Sorrento

Food...because...why not



The majority of the market in Sorrento is made up of on the spot craftsmanship and designs. You want an oil brush painting with an antique frame? You get. Srappy studded flats? Ready in an hour. Sadly, my 50 euro a day budget did not allow for hand made shoes...but ill live veraciously through the pics.

After beach bumming all day on Saturday,we were ready to hit the disco scene....but was the disco scene ready for us? Probably not. We went to this beautiful club overlooking the ocean...all outside...dancefloor under massive tents. Free champagne. Me likey.

From top center (with anklet): Nine West, Studded Heels: Spring, Beige mocison heels: Store in Lebanon, My shoes: Bakers, Strappy Black: Guess, Stud Wedges: Bakers

Dress:H&M, Scarf: Not sure actually,Hat: Scala from LA market,Sunglasses: Chloe
Today,despite being slightly hungover and exhausted, we stumbled out of bed by 8am to make it out to Capri.
If Capri were a piece of clothing it would be a vintage Dior. Rare, glamourous and classy. Could never be duplicated and there would never be enough words to describe the beauty of it.
We loved it so much we are heading back tomorrow!

Tweet

walking on a dream

Everytime when its freezing at home (soo 10 months of the year?), I always curse to myself and say that I would rather die in heat than ever deal with the cold. Im not too sure about this anymore.
The weather yesterday it hit 42 degrees. Fourty Two.
For somebody who lives in the cold for ten months of the year that is one HOT day!


We woke up yesterday and hit the Trevi Fountain. It was such a beautiful sight. We sat on the edge of the fountain just taking in the beauty when we decided to put our feet in the water to cool down. Big mistake.

A few minutes later a cop came running up to us screaming " DOCUMENTATION! DOCUMENTATION!". I felt like the two innocent girls from Brokedown Palace. What did I do? He must have the wrong people?

Mmmm no. Apparently it is illegal to put your feet in the Trevi fountain (although there are no signs about this)...and it will cost you 160 euros. Are you kidding me?

"Would you like if I went to States de Americana and put my feet in the water of yours" said the man. Thankfully a nice italian tour guide assisted me with dealing with the cop and helped ease the situation a bit. And some gnocchi also helped.


The damage...just a pre warning for anyone going to Italy... dont put any limbs in any water.

Pre ticket. Happy and hot.
Top: Forever 21, Necklace: Random store in NYC, Sunglasses. market in LA, Shoes: Marshalls

At night, we took on the Coliseum. I swear this place is like a living musuem. Every area is a story, a place of history and a photographers fantasy. Its so easy to fall in a gaze here....





Top: Forever 21, Skirt: Wilfred Aritzia (can you tell I enjoy this skirt a little too much?)

On Thuy...Skirt: H&M, Top: H&M, Headband: Mine from the Dollar store

Classic kids playing soccer. Bellissimo.

Today is our last day in Rome where we will be hitting the markets. I found the most stunning lace crop jacket the other day that I didnt purchase because we were in a rush so today I am on the hunt to refind this in the market. Wish me luck.
Tomorrow we head on a bus at 545am (oyy) and go to Sorrento.

Tweet

when in rome....oh wait i am!

Ive never been to Italy before. A girl with 2 italian parents, a pasta fetish and a love for cobblestone streets has never been to la bella vita. Thats why when appraoched two months ago, I had no othr option but to say yes.

Breakdown of the trip.

Sunday (12 hour travel day, 2 stops NOT recommended): "Ladies your buggages are 15 pounds ovr weight. " Perfect. Carry ons now causing sever knots in our shoulders. Stop over in MTL. Board plane start drinking red wine to sleep. No sleep. Watch Zac Efron. Still no sleep. More red wine. Red Wine spillage over white tshirt. Stop over in Zurich. Still no sleep. Landed in Rome. Spotted: LUGGAGE!

Monday: RENITED WITH THUY! Jetlag= not cool...so we sleep. Piazza for dinner. Pasta. Spanish steps. Gawking at the buildings (sooo beautiful). Approached by italians to get engaged within 2 minutes. Laura gets charged 12 euro for an ice cream cone. Walking around. MOre gawking. More eating.

Top: Old Navy, Skirt: Wilfred from Aritzia. Belt: Vintage




Tuesday: St. Peters Sqaure. Picture Posing. Vatican. Rejected from Vatican due to outfits. Buy scarfs to cover shoulders. Rejected again lol. Third time was a charm. Pizza. Pasta. Said prayer at Vatican (asked God to help me get into a bathing suit in Sorrento after all this eating). Pubcrawl. Met Canadians (of course!) and Italians.

Drool



Top: Zara, Skirt: Value Villiage, Belt: Vintage, Shoes: From Germany, Bag: BCBG,Necklace: H&M, Glasses: Not mine!
Thuy wears... Dress: H&M, Purse: Vietnam Market


Bought all these charms near the Vatican that I plan to make into a cute little bracelt. Yay! The background is the scarf I bought to "cover up". ha.


And today....BEACH DAY! The city has been so hot so we needed a little break. More Pasta Tonight. Obviously.
Cant wait for the girls to get here on Friday.
xoxo

Tweet

mermaids

Lauren Conrad is known for many things....turning down an internship in Paris ( uhh Jason over Paris? Really?), feuds with Heidi Montag and dating hot boys like Brody Jenner but she is also known for something else completely unrelated to the Hills drama.....her nail polish choices. When she first started wearing black people started becoming fixated on her nails. Next it was purple. Then bright red.
And then recently, when she appeared on the Aftershow in Toronto she had the most beautiful color of teal painted on.
I went on a mission to try to find this color but nothing remotely came close. Word on the nail polish street was that it was a Nars Limited Edition color. Of course it was.
A little discouraged, I gave up on this teal search.
I guess there is a reason they say "good things come to those who wait" because on Friday I went into Sephora and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this beautiful teal color on the top shelf. Mine looks like it has a bit more blue in it...but it's closest teal I have seen to Lauren's yet.

"We just got it in today! So hot!" said the salesclerk.

Being the pathetic freak that I am, I put it on the minute I got home........even though I was getting a manicure the very next day.
Yes, I have a nail polish fetish and yes I do not care.

Tweet

fill up with noise

Black Skinnies: Habitual, Top: Wilfred (customized with gold studs by me), Shoes: Zara, Blue purse: Vintage show in NYC



If you see me without bangles something is most likely not right. There are a few bangles that I wear on a daily basis and the two braided ones (gold and black) happen to be some of them. I got them from Forever.
I am absolutely in love with the tiger bangle. It comes out on special ocassions.
I got it from the givaway table when I interned at Teen vogue. How could anyone have given this way? AH...Whoever that was...thank you!
The black and gold star charmed bracelt was actually made by me. The charms and wire were wrapped around a pair of sandles that I wore way too often. The sandles ended up breaking so I took off the wire and charms and wrapped them on plain black bracelt string from Michael's. It sometimes hurts my wrists as the wires are not entirely secure but...uh....beauty is pain? haha!

Tweet

there's a place in your heart and i know that it is love

If I had to pick my favourite Michael Jackson song, I don't think I could do it. It would be like asking me to pick my favourite thing in my closet-a few things come close but it's impossible to pick just ONE. The passing of the talented and brillant MJ has been on my mind endlessly over the last week and a half. My mind has been filled with waves of sadness, childhood memories and pure adoration for his music.
Each song is a clear memory from a time in my life and is also a reflection of how talented this man really was.
Black and White reminds me of me, my mom and my brother moving our coffee table out of the way, putting in the dangerous cd and just dancing like no tomorrow
Dirty Diana reminds me of singing out of ketchup bottles in the summer of grade 10 with natalie.
Billie Jean-University parties and nights out.
Thriller reminds me of my dance class days and our version of the thriller routine. I still remember it and still have the costume. And yes I will more than likely pull it out the next time I am on the dancefloor. That dance that is.
Gone Too Soon-Princess Diana's funeral
Due to my MJ obsession/sadness I thought I would dedicate my outfit to him as he has and will always be an inspiration to the fashion community.


Jeans: Cheap Mondays
T-shirt: H&M
Jacket: My mom's from the 90's
Shoes: From Baker's




His memorial may be over, I may have stopped watching CNN on the steady and my brother may be telling me "it's time to get over it" but if anyone thinks that I will stop playing the Dangerous cd on repeat...well think again. I'm not ready for that just yet.
RIP TO THE KING OF POP
1958-2009

Tweet