Monday, June 21, 2010

London to Rome

So as you all know, I recently returned from the trip of a lifetime around Europe. You guys want to hear my favorite part? Dressing up every day for sightseeing, dinners, and cocktails. Want to know my second favorite part? People watching.

Needless to say I over packed for this little trip. When we got to the airport my suitcase was a grand total of 51.5 pounds. Apparently the cutoff weight is 50 so I was forced to take out a pair of shoes (which coincidentally weighed exactly 1.5 pounds) and carry them in my already over stuffed carry on. If I had known I was going to wear the same pair of sandals almost everyday I wouldn't have packed so many cute shoes.

Anyways. About all the outfits I wore all over the Continent. (Please disregard the quality of pictures. Apparently my parents can't take a picture of me that includes my feet so there was little to work with…love you momma) I have most of my day outfits documented, but for whatever reason I chose not to take pictures of my evening outfits (which were much more interesting and were paired with actual accessories and beautiful heels) so please forgive me.



Walking down the Champs Elysees in Paris. I'm wearing a jean pencil skirt found at a small boutique in Charleston, ruffled shirt from Ann Taylor, the infamous silver sandal I wore everywhere by Giani Bernini, my "hey I'm a tourist" purse found at Marshall's, and Jess' silver earrings from Francesca's. Jess is wearing…an outfit ya'll have already seen. Pardon the awkward pose, we had to stop to quickly take this picture. People walk like madmen in Paris!



After climbing to the top of Mount Stanserhorn in Switzerland I wore Express jeans with an Ann Taylor off the shoulder red sweater (that I'm sure my friends agree I wear way too much), Nine West sunglasses, turquoise necklace from XXI, and "the purse."



Sitting atop the capital of a fallen Corinthian column at the Colosseum in Rome. This day I wore the Vatican dress code approved dress from Express.



So I'm in my map…(Friend's reference anyone?) At Buckingham Palace wearing a Gap dress worn with Target sandals and the recurring belt from Delia's.



At the upside down pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. I wore a cami from Express with a grey silk skirt from Ann Taylor, long pearls from Charlotte Russe, and a (fake) Coach cross body purse. Jess wore a shirt from Ann Taylor, skirt from Express and carried a (fake) Coach purse as well.



Shopping in the Island of Murano, Italy wearing a dress from Gap, "the purse," Delias belt, and flats found at Marshall's appropriately named Ciao Bella.



Making a wish in the Trevi fountain wearing a dress from Express and Jess' gold bracelet from Hand Picked.

I would share my pictures of the sights I saw but ya'll can just Google image London, Paris, Lucerne, Venice, Florence, Rome and see for yourself.

All my best,
Karmen (still missing Mandy)

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Hair hair hair

Okay guys, I'm back. For 10 days I travelled all over Europe with my roommate Jess and my parents as a graduation trip to London, Paris, Lucerne, Venice, Florence and Rome. It was easily the best 10 days of my life.

One thing when traveling abroad to remember: hair appliances will blow up and not work. Even with my converter, my blow dryer and straightener scared me by blowing up the very first day of our trip. Europe was forced to see me with fuzzy awkwardly wavy hair though out our stay. When it came time to our fancy dinner out in Paris I didn't know what to do with the hot mess that was my hair after a day of sight seeing around the city. Clearly an up do was necessary. Many bobby pins and some fresh flowers from the garden later…



Voila! Worn with a dress from Target, earrings from Ben Bridge, and pearls from Charlotte Russe.

More on the trip later. Now I'll work on that jet lag by taking a nice nap…

-Karmen (missing Mandy)