Walking around Milan in December..

I really enjoy walking in Milan in December. I love the window displays that each store has and the decorations that they have in the city.  The window displays in Europe are completely different than those in the United States.  I feel that the window displays in Europe go above and beyond.  They take their themes and stories within their stores to the next level.  When I was in Paris, at the Gallerie Lafayette they had display windows that were toy themed.  

I  loved this store! The winding staircase is beautiful!

This was a sign at my favorite store in Milan (La Rinascente).  La Rinascente is a department store that is located in the central area of Milan near the Duomo. I am obsessed with the basement of this store.  The basement has home goods, stationary things, and artistic novelties.  There are many neat brands in the basement of this store.  One of my favorite brands in the basement, is a brand called Pylones.  Pylones has the cutest and most interesting items I have ever seen.  The items are great for gifts or just for yourself :) 

Here is the website for Pylones: Check it out :) They have several stores in New York!

http://www.pylones-usa.com/pylones/shops.php

It's Christmas time in Milan

I can't believe it is already December and close to Christmas.  I love going to the Duomo in the central part of Milan and looking at the Christmas lights and the Christmas tree. In a way in reminds me of home.  I love everything about  Christmas! Even though I am worlds apart from my home and loved ones right now, I still feel the comfort and joy of the Christmas season.  We havent't seen a lot of snow yet, but it still feels like Christmas is coming. 

Here are some pictures of the central part of Milan :)

ENJOY! Christmas countdown  11 days!!!

la vita è bella

Fill your life with as many moments and experiences of joy and passion as you humanly can. Start with one experience and build on it. 

I love this quote...

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

"Foto"

Here are some photos of MY favorite landmarks in Rome! ENJOY! :)

The Collesum 

Arco Di Tito

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II

Fontana di Trevi

When in Rome..

Over the weekend, my roomate and I traveled to Rome.  Many people told us that we couldn't see everything in one day, but we proved them wrong! Here is a list of major landmarks that we were able to see:

• The Collesum of Roma
• Arco di Tito
• Palatino
• Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II
• Colonna Traiana
• Palazzo Venezia
• Palazzo Montecitorio
• Fontana di Trevi
• Piazza Colonna
• Trinita dei Monti
• Villa Medici
• Piazza del Popolo
• Basilica S. Pietro : Vatican City
• Musei Vaticani: Vatican City
• Giardini del Vaticano: Vatican City 

Walking in Biella, Italy

Last week, my class took a group trip to Biella, Italy.  Biella is about an hour and a half away from Milan.  We took a coach bus to Biella to visit the Zegna Wool Factory and see how wool is produced. I really enjoyed this group activity. If you don't know who Ermenegildo Zegna is, I will tell you.  Ermenegildo Zegna, is an Italian fashion house that produces very nice men's clothing.  It is very popular and obviously well known in Europe. The Zegna family created this company in 1910.  The Zegna factory, (which is located in Biella) is a museum that shows how the Zegna family started their business. We visited, the museum and the factory as well. It was interesting to see how the family got started in this business with wool, and then to actually go and see a store of theirs was really neat. Here are a few pictures of my experience in Biella at the Zegna wool factory.

 

At the Wool Factory

 

Zegna made pants for Arnold Schwarzenegaer!

  

   The scenery in Biella was amazing!!!

"Merci"

While in Paris, we had a professional activity with a concept store called "Merci."  We had the opportunity to meet with the head fashion buyer and  designer of the store.  The store was so itneresting! I loved every aspect of the company and store.  Here is a little bit of informaion from our handout about "Merci."


Merci is not just a French conceptual store, it is a philosophy of life proposed by France and Marie Bernard Cohen, already known for the brand for children Bonpoint.  French newspapers and blogs describe Merci as a store that you can find almost everything: clothing, books, accessories, flowers, and also old and rare objects.  Merci is a mixture of futuristic design and vintage retro chic, this is a place that one can get lost in a dream.  All of the profits of purchases are donated to a charity fund to assist in international association that is dedicated to the childhood in an island of Madagascar.


If you would like more information and want to check out their website:  Here it is!!  ENJOY!


http://www.merci-merci.com/

My own photos of the Eiffel Tower

Then and Now

My mother sent me a picture of when she experienced the Eiffel Tower.  The year was 1982 and she was a Junior in High School.  Here is a picture of when she was at the Eiffel Tower, and also I wanted to include a picture of myself as well. Enjoy!

 1982

2010

Facts about the Eiffel Tower & Collage Inspiration

If you want some quick facts about the Eiffel Tower. Here is a great website that you can find more information!http://www.endex.com/gf/buildings/eiffel/eiffelfacts.html


Also, here is a collage that I created that was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and Paris.  ENJOY!

Experiencing the Eiffel Tower

When I first saw the Eiffel Tower, I took a moment to stand there and take in the moment.  Ever since I was in Junior high school or early high school I have always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower.  I bought pictures, signs, and wall art that had the Eiffel Tower on them and I loved finding things that showed pictures of Paris.  If you walked into my room at my house, or in my appartment at school; you find black and white signs and photos of Paris.  


Now, I am happy to say that I can print off my own pictures of my experience at the Eiffel Tower.  I am so blessed to be able to see the Eiffel Tower at such a young age.  Some people wait their whole life to see something like this.  I couldn't stop taking pictures of the tower! Then, on the last day of our trip we bought our tickets and rode the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  The Eiffel Tower stands 986 ft. tall.  It has three levels; the bottom, the middle, and the top level.  Guests are able to either go up halfway to the middle level, or they can go up to the very top in the highest level.  My friends and I went to the very top.  The view of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower was incredible.

Bonjour! From Paris!

I recently got back from a 5 day trip to Paris, France.  Walking in the streets of Paris was truly an amazing experience.  Paris is everything that I imagined it too be, and more!


Here was my schedule for Paris:


-DAY 1: 5:40 p.m Flight from Milan to Paris 
              8:30 p.m. Arrive at our Hotel in Paris


-DAY 2:  9:00 a.m. 4 hour guided bus tour of Paris
               1:00 p.m. Lunch
              3:00 p.m. Visit Promostyle Trends & Forecasting Agency
              4:30 p.m. Free Time
              7:00 p.m Group Dinner & Show at Moulin Rouge


-DAY 3:  9:00 a.m. Meeting with French Fashion Buyer and Designer  of concept store "Merci."
              12:00 p.m. Lunch
              2:30 Meeting at Louvre for guided audio tour
             6:00 p.m. La Seine cruise on Bateaux Mouches


-DAY 4: Free Afternoon & Evening
             -I went to the Pompedu and  Chaunce de Lise 


-DAY 5:   10:00 a.m. Check out of the Hotel & Free afternoon
               -I went to the Eiffel Tower and went to the very top! I also went to visit the Pierre Cardin     Museum.
                7:45 p.m. Flight from Paris back to Milan




**As you can see, it was a very packed trip! But I enjoyed every minute of it*

Pizza, Pizza, Pizza

 After walking in the Sempione Park, we worked up an appetitte.  We found this small pizza joint right outside of the park. The pizza was amazing!! We also made friends with the owners :)










Natalie and her Margherita pizza (yummy)




















Below, Brittany Williams is eating her Margherita pizza as well!!

Brittany Hughes, likes to venture out a little bit!  She tried pesto and salami on her pizza!