Let's take a moment of silence to thank Remington for making a European curling iron.

Yay for presentable hair! 

Luke, I am your stylist. Found this little bugger at a men's razor shop (why is that a necessary theme for a shop?). It was 24 euro! That's almost half of what my shitty-shitty straightener cost. A little resentful of that purchase, but you live and you learn! If anyone is in Europe and has naturally stick straight hair and needs something to smooth it over when it's slightly windblown... hit me up.. I have a straightener for you. 

Ciao for now! xoxo

Mission: Pumpkin head

Fall is in the air. The leaves are turning, the cider is churning, the -- wait, no it's not. I'm in Italy and still wearing flip-flops. I went to Croatia last weekend and sauntered around in a bikini while gazing at aquamarine water. Unlike America, which breaks out the orange and black in August, Italy does not seem to carry the same seasonal obsessions. In fact, they seem pretty season neutral. No one is dying their hair auburn for fall, or switching out their pastel wardrobes for warmer burgundies and forest greens. Black attire in the summer - black attire in the winter. Va bene. My friends are posting about their pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin bread and pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. It's like they're rubbing Starbucks in my face, while I order my ho-hum espresso at my lackluster Italian caffe. Well, I had had enough. This bionda was about to find some "zucca"-flavoured things in Florence.

I went to the nearest CONAD, hoping to see my familiar orange squash on display. Alas, there were only bananas. We were off to a bad start.

"Scusa"-ing my way to the tea section, I fervently searched for something that reminded me of fall. Apple, chai, anything! Scanning boxes of chamomile, green, black, and something called "Prince of Wales" tea, I realized that my quest was in vain. I perused the coffee shelves for a pumpkin-flavoured creamer or something similar. No. There is clearly a reason why America takes the gold for obesity.

Accepting my loss, I settled on a soup mug (because they do not seem to believe in over-sized coffee mugs. Nothing is over-sized here except for the nutella.) and a box of blueberry green decaf.

This chica is satisfied with my fruity, warm drink. It's not pumpkin, but it's comforting. As all of you live vicariously through my travels, I will be living vicariously through your Instagram pictures of cardboard coffee cups overflowing with whipped cream and liquid caramel. You win, Starbucks.

Ciao for now xoxo, and happy fall!

Side note: Italy might be lacking in the zucca department, but they do have Mcdonald's mayonnaise! I know, you never thought that two things so perfect could be fused into one.

Today, I learned that in Italia they watch the Smurfs! BUT - they call it "I Puffi." At first, we had no idea what they were talking about. Our host mom's daughter kept describing it as "blue cartoons." There's even a gelato flavor named after I Puffi! We finally understood when the grand daughter showed us clips on Youtube. So funny, because it's popular here but SO outdated in the United States! Povera Puffi.

Also, Lady Gaga came to Milan this weekend. We found out... today. Meow.

Also, three of my pants have ripped since I've been here. I feel like Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love. Damn you, gelato! Just kidding gelato, I love you so much.

Also, I found Voldemort in Florence. Don't worry, I expecto patronum-ed like a boss. My blog posts are so profound.

xoxo

Today, I went to a super cute tea/wifi place! It was a little hole in the wall with couch/benches, where you could sit and do homework with their free wi-fi for the price of a tea. It's called Meykadeh. The guy who works there is from Kansas, but grew up in England, and moved to Italy as a food writer. They play really soothing music and also sell used books! I'm obsessed. It's hard to find a nice place to study here. The library at school closes at 5, so I have to go home and work. Being home is equivalent to being on facebook! Hence, mi piace questo luogo :) I got decaf green tea and it was served in this adorable tea pot with a cookie on the side. 

Love it! Sorry my hair blends into the wall... platinum problems. Ciao for now!

Fun facts:

The dogs are ridiculously well-trained. There are no leash laws, but it's rare to even see one bark, let alone run up to you.

You don't really pet dogs like you do in America. People look at you strangely.

People look at you strangely when you go for a run. I've had it happen three times that someone has laughed and imitated running. Europeans are jelly of my endorphins.

The grapes are not seedless. You have to spit them out.

You have to weigh your fruit and label it before you get to the cash register.

You can't smile at people on the streets like you do in America. Everyone wears their "bitch-face."

Pedestrians unofficially do not have the right of way. Aka cars/vespas do not stop for you when you cross. So many American city-slickers would be pissed/injured!

Truth: I am obsessed with this country.

This bionda bought a hair straightener today! Italiano hair straightener for 43 euros! Bella! Actually it's the equivalency of a Conair (bleh, Ulta snob), but it will do! I got it at a little barber shop on our street. And I bought the whole thing while speaking Italian to the employee! *proud moment*

Ciao ciao!

So, last night we went out for my sorority sister's birthday! Imagine that, having your birthday in Italy! We went to Moyo for aperitivo. Aperitivo is sort of like happy hour. You buy one drink and then have access to a free buffet of food. Like, are you kidding me? They could never do that in America because our culture is so accustomed to overeating! This is our new go-to spot because you get free dinner! The buffet isn't basic food either. I had this great sausage and mushroom dish, cooked veggies and of course bread! The girls got Emily a pastry and candles to celebrate like a birthday cake - it was so cute!

After that, we went to Lion's Fountain (the American-esque bar). We stayed for a little there and then went to the club called Twice. It was so much fun. We got to go in the VIP section and danced to "Call me maybe," obviously.

This morning I had a fantastic caprese salad from this restaurant down the street. I also have like, six chapters of political science reading to do!

Ciao XO

Fun fact: Since I've been in Italy, I've heard "Call me maybe" played at least 5 times in restaurants/bars, seen the music video on two TV's, and one chalkboard had the lyrics written.

I’m in Firenze! I apologize for the lack of postings, but my wifi was on the fritz and adapter was nowhere to be found. If I’m slow to respond to a Facebook message or email, it’s because wifi is precious gold here! Firenze is beautiful. That’s all there is to it. There are about fifty gorgeous churches in walking distance of our homestay, which also makes for great landmarks when trying to navigate.

On the flight from Dulles to Frankfurt I sat next to an elderly lady who was on vacation. She was actually an alumni from Sweet Briar, and the school does alumni trips every year to cool places in Europe. She was telling me all about her life, and her cat, Maggie. What a sweetheart! I honestly did not sleep a wink on the plane because I was chatting with this lady. The flight time flew by and all of a sudden we were in Frankfurt.

In Frankfurt airport, we had to go through security again before getting on the plane to Florence. The candle that I got my host mom apparently set off the scanner, so they had to search my bag. Well, wouldn’t you know, they pull out my teddy bear! The German TSA guy – “Is this your best friend?” Me – “Yes.” No shame. Oh, and I also got frisked. Blondes can be dangerous, ya know!

We went out for the first time in Firenze! We went to this bar called Old Stove, where we met these students from Denmark. They were so nice – and basically my twins with the platinum hair! They were seniors in high school and just visiting for the week, so unfortunately we won’t be able to hang out again. After that, we went to this bar called Lion Fountain. It was like being in an American bar. We walked in and they were playing Katy Perry while U.S. college tee’s lined the walls. There’s a JMU one with summer student’s signatures – definitely got a picture! I might recognize a few names ;) They even had a special JMU shot – strawberry vodka and lime. It was delicious and tasted like Jello. After THAT, it was pretty late but we tried to find the last club that we had wanted to check out called Club 21. That place basically looked like something out of a movie. It was so gorgeous, but so hot! Literally, the walls were sweating. I think we stayed for twenty minutes and left! Pizzerias are open very late here, thank goodness! We went to a shop and got margherita pizza, which was super cheap. Five euros for a pie? Okay!

I also just booked a trip to Cinque Terra (?) this Sunday! So excited.

Ciao for now! XO

Packing is going wonderfully!

But really. I have to dye my roots, finish packing, umm.. that might be all. I feel like this could be an all day affair! Also, apparently the flight attendants of my airline are going on strike? Hence, there may be delays or cancellations when we get to Frankfurt. I'm really not too concerned. Extra time in Germany? Heck yes!

Pre-Pre Departure

It's one of those days where I have so much to do that I've decided on doing absolutely nothing. Well, I created this blog - that's something! In three days, I'll be on my way to Florence, where I will live for the next three months. Am I excited? It really hasn't sunk in. I feel like I won't know what's hit me until my feet are touching the ground in Italy. This is quite possibly the most daring adventure I have embarked on in my lifetime. The farthest I've been abroad was to St. Thomas, and that's a U.S. territory, so does it even count? Oh, I also went to Tiajuana when I was about ten. My family was visiting a relative in San Diego, and it was so close to the Mexican border that we hopped right over for a day trip! I definitely would never go back - lots of zebra-painted horses and children selling gum on the streets. Anyways, back to Italia. I don't even have my suitcase yet. My old one is a goner, the handle broke while I was travelling to the Redwoods this spring. However, I do have luggage tags! My mom bought them for me. They're the newest Lilly pattern.

On to packing! Or more procrastinating.