to the one going abroad...

January 08, 2019 in life, travel

you are about to embark on what can be the most thrilling moments of your life. it never quite hit me that I was going abroad for 4 months, and yet it never did. it was always like a dream that I was living in. you may have the same feeling, or maybe you’re terrified of what’s ahead. whatever feeling you have, appreciate all the emotions that surround you. because the world around us is beautiful, and exciting, and unique. yes, it can be dangerous, but life itself is dangerous. so, do not be afraid. when you put that dangerous thought of fear in your head, you will only see things as bad, even if they are not.

other countries and cultures have different social cues than your own, so don’t always assume something as strange, because chances are it’s normal for them. but this does not mean to forget your instinct. open up to new ways of life, and something will grow inside of you, that you never thought of before. trust that life has brought you to that very moment for some odd reason, and you must be willing to accept whatever fate it may be. be courageous in your own mind.

live life free, because you are in the perfect moment to live spontaneously. spend that extra dollar on something that makes you smile. adventure on your own. meet new people. gain an extra pound and try new delicious food. send gifts back to your loved ones to show how much you appreciate the gift they gave you. smile.

take care of yourself. you do not need to do something amazing every day. rest when you need. but do not let all of these moments go to waste because of fear. because fear itself can be scary. I saw a quote that said “sometimes fear won’t go away. so, you’ll have to do it afraid.”

don’t be overdramatic, be overenthusiastic of where you are. spread love. change views. appreciate. because that is what you signed up for, whether you knew it or not.

and for the love of god. live as if you fly home tomorrow and never get to return. because sooner than you know, it will be the night before your flight home, and you’ll be sitting there asking where all the time has gone.

and then you’ll be the one telling someone to enjoy the chance to go abroad.

good luck and remember to live.

devouring the city

July 17, 2018 in food & drink

it's both a blessing and a curse to come to new york city after 4 months of eating my body weight in pasta and gelato and drinking endless amounts of wine. I swear every block has a new place I want to try and I definitely don't have the time or money to visit them all. within the several weeks I have been here, I have found some staples that you MUST visit if you are ever in manhattan. from craving sweets to healthy, vegan to the works, and everything in between, new york city has it all. but we can't have it all, so bear with me and the few places I have visited!

desert

let's just skip to what's important because we all know it's always on my mind!

if I'm craving something sweet and willing to indulge a little my number one place is Magnolia's Bakery. if you are a sex and the city fan you already know that this is a go-to. Carrie Bradshaw would stroll into this west village paradise to chow on some cupcakes. although their cupcakes are amazing (get the flourless cupcake), you gotta go for the banana pudding. I do not care if you think it sounds weird, it's AMAZING. it truly melts in your mouth with every spoon full of banana, wafer cookie, and cream. it. is. to. die. for!! also, according to my brother, the cheesecake is v good.

although I cannot have dairy (or at least I shouldn't because my body does not agree) my two friends constantly rave about Milk Bar . when they rave, you know it's real. so instead of sacrificing myself for the sack of everyone's knowledge, I asked them to share their thoughts and this is what they said:

blizzard on steroids
ice cream is orgasmic
tastes like the milk at the bottom of a cereal bowl in ice cream form
unique flavors
the ice cream is so smooth and the perfect amount of sweet
TO DIE FOR

so if that doesn't convince you, you've got a problem

cafes

I love going to cafes to work on my blog, homework, or just to hang out, partly because I'm a coffee addict! these are some of my favorite places because they are quiet and perfect for the alone time. ps my favorite coffee order is a long black or americano with a dash of almond milk (i blame Sarahs Day for my obsession)

I stumbled across matcha bar on my way to a different cafe. i saw it, walked down half a block and then turned around and went right back. if it's not coffee, it's matcha that's my fetish. it is such a unique flavor and has so many great health benefits. a little cafe tucked into a neighborhood of Chelsea with all different options of, including matcha ice cream covered in gold! I had the golden matcha latte, which is matcha, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. sounds weird I know, but this combo of spices is so good for your gut! very reasonable prices for drinks and they also have baked goods and toasts for all your insta needs.

terremoto coffee was where I was actually headed when I got distracted by ~matcha~ it's a hole in the wall with only seating for about 6 people, along with a bench outside for people watching. the barista working was so kind and even offering to adjust my long black with a dash of almond milk if I wanted it stronger or milkier. they had all the typical coffee needs, along with so many yummy bakery items! this is by far my go-to place when I need to work and have some peace and quiet. but beware: don't go if your laptop is about to die because you'll have to leave this retreat because of the lack of outlets:(

insta worthy

if it's not all about the food, it's all about the insta pic. being known as one of the trendiest cities, new york is the insta capital

I'm tellin ya, you gotta try matcha because its a game changer. cha cha matcha has the best vibe and is very hip for you hipsters. with so many matcha options from coffees to teas, and treats like cronuts and chia pudding, i could eat/drink this whole place. although it has a good amount of seating and lots of natural light, I don't recommend if you have things to work on because it is very loud and usually busy. but don't let that stop you from going! I had the matcha filled croissants and i was stuffed till dinner. so worth the money. the whole shop is loaded with pink and green neon lights and fun decorations which makes it perfect for the 'gram.

a place that's plant-based and has great pictures?? how perfect! the butcher's daughter is a necessity for brunch, and if you say brunch, I say benedict. I had their avo benedict that comes with potatoes and it was wonderful. although the food was pretty good, you pay for the experience and the presentation. I also got a cold golden elixir to get my lemon, ginger, honey fix and it hit the spot perfectly. another place that will require a wait, but the wait is worth it. the outdoor seating in Chelsea brings such a good environment for a mid-Sunday and is in such an ideal location to wander around after when you have a full tummy.

pssst... the chelse location is close to the original magnolia bakery!

healthy

i love healthy and whole foods, and new york has all the best for the well-being trend! although it can get pricey, these are my two favs when I'm wanting something guilt-free

introduced to me by the lovely Bry and Sarah, sweet green is another rave-worthy place. when you need your greens this is the place to go because of their many combos of different flavors, textures, and options! for new york prices, it's not overly expensive, but if you like to add-ons, it can get a little pricey. I love salads, but I don't always get full off of them, which leaves me to have a bigger portion making this place perfect. you get a big bull along with bread (which I cant have, but besides the point). my fav is the fish taco bowl which is a great source of protein and omega-3. one of these days I'm going to treat myself to one of their many lemonade options, but for now, water will do. but forwarning, try to avoid going at lunchtime because it is BUSY and the wait is so frustrating because I am impatient when it comes to food lines.

I was once a vegan for a few months and absolutely loved it, but now for me, that lifestyle is no longer maintainable. however, I still do eat vegan a lot and the best place for that is the famous by Chloe. I still think about my first visit and the guac burger I had, but sadly I have a sensitivity with avocados and jalapenos so I cant have this amazing creation any longer :'( but seriously they have soooo many options of alternatives that taste just the same as the original. I know a lot of people shy from vegan foods because they think it won't be the same (and to be honest it won't always) but people have found ways to make plant-based foods so flavorful, it's amazing. I've been craving a good mac n chez so I may have to hop over this week because #listentoyourbody & #cravings.

cheat day

you always gotta treat yo self, and that means food for me!

you guys. I don't know how to describe the most perfect place to have food, views, laughs, and an overall amazing day. on Saturdays, smorgasbord, a food stand event in Williamsburg opens and it is UNREAL. the atmosphere: amazing. the food: amazing. if you're from Minnesota you know how the state fair is always a requirement to end the summer, but smorgasbord is like a mini minny state fair! everything you can think of they have, plus the best view of Manhattan you can get. highly recommend sharing and splitting with someone so that you can try more things!! i started out with a mango on a stick with chili pepper, hot sauce and lime juice on top and OMG the flavors made my taste buds go crazy. then we moved to savory with brined baked fries with lots of sauces. of course, we saw someone with an insta worthy pineapple chicken bowl, so we hunted that stand down. and then I ended my feast with a halved coconut filled with coconut ice cream. let's just say I was in a major food coma after that day. ATTENTION: bring cash because most stands don't accept card

some days, ya gotta get your southern fix of some good old chicken and waffles. we search all of Manhattan and decided on root & bone, although there are many other top locations, this was perfect for our plans for after brunch! unfortunately when we arrived, hangery and ready to feast, the wait time was wild. when thinking all hope was lost, we were informed that mama's bar right next door served all the same foods. so, of course, we ran right over and we got our food so fast! and even better was the bar was playing the world cup games, so we got some entertainment with our full bellies. I got the chicken and waffles eggs benedict, and I'm not kidding, I inhaled it in maybe 8 minutes flat. (no picture to show because the camera definitely did not eat first this time)

empty wallet

title says it all

if you're not sure what you're hungry for, Chelsea market. a cool historic place with endless options of foods, treats, and shopping. although prices can fluctuate depending on what you are craving, there are definitely options that can keep you on a budget. a great place for lunch or to wander through when you're bored but want to get away from the Manhattan humidity. with endless amounts of food here, it's hard to talk about one specific place to go. i recommend walking through, then getting food and taking it to go and sitting on the high line right next to the market!

another lucky find was cornerstone cafe, and when i say lucky i mean for our wallets. last weekend we wanted to go to brunch at this place called poco (perfect place if you want bottomless mimosas, but I have cut out alcohol from my lifestyle) but unfortunately, the prices were fixed and very high for some basic brunch items. again, hangry and on the hunt for anything, we found the cornerstone cafe just down the street. we were nervous about the wait time, but it ended up being so quick. the service was amazing, but the best part was everything was so cheap!! i got a baked egg with salmon for only $14 and an iced coffee for $2.50. the coffee was GIANT. like i have not had that big of an iced coffee for under $5 in the city yet. although my dish was a little too salty, everyone else's meals were delicious. they got the spinach and cheese baked egg and it was only $12! they had eggs for $4 and fluffy a$$ pancakes for $10. what is this madness?? the portion sizes were so great that I wasn't even able to finish my food, and that is a rare occasion. of all my places, this is a must visit.

there are seriously so many amazing places i have yet to go to, but unfortunately, because I have so many problems with food allergies and my digestion it makes it hard to find alternatives at every place:/ I will be wrtiting a blog soon about how i substitute things so that I can still satisfy my cravings!

I love food ~obviously~ and i love trying new places!! so if you have any recommendations please comment them bellow so I can check them out!

the secret life of a fashion intern

July 10, 2018 in fashion

disclaimer: I love where I intern! anywhere you work, there will be the ups and downs, but I am so fortunate for the opportunity I have and the knowledge I am learning at LoveShackFancy.

surprise! there's no secret that intern life is not lavish or easy, but I find myself in another world of its own in the fashion industry. unfortunately, going into fashion gets a bad rep. many people do not believe it is worthy of a life career, but rather a hobby; that all we do is create pretty clothes, to be put on pretty models, to capture a pretty picture. fortunately, after changing my major and joining the world of fashion, I have learned that there is so much more and that all the decisions in this industry effect every single person's life. yes, even you! your shirt didn't just magically appear to you at the store without a few important people in between. I'll be honest, before my internship I thought I new the gist of fashion from my few apparel classes I've taken in iowa... yes IOWA. wrong. there is so much more than you see nor hear about.

I am surrounded by some incredible and exhilarating women that remind me exactly why I decided to pursue a career in the apparel industry, especially design. yes, there are days were it's straight out of the movie The Devil Wears Prada where someone asks me to find "that one lace white top that I had 3 days ago," but thankfully it's not Miranda Priestly asking for it. in the production department at LSF, the designers and developers are here before I get in and leave after I'm done for the day. it's insane, and quite terrifying to be honest, at how much they work. but when you are passionate and dedicated to something you love, it's not work, and I admire them for that. the way they all work makes me forget that I am an unpaid college intern, broke as hell, in a city that's average meal seems to be $20 (like seriously my chipotle bowl was $10 and I didn't even get guac..) but it's all for the experience.. right?? i'll just keep telling myself that as I pay absurd amounts for a cappuccino.

but it is the best experience and new york city as a whole is one hell of an interesting one. lucky for you, you get an inside on what it's like to be an intern in the fashion capital of the world and not at just one company, but three! and not just one department or major, but three!! it's like you're basically here with us. thanks to two lovely ladies, I got an insight into their internships, along with their thoughts on living in this restless city.

Bryannah Slate ~ O, The Oprah Magazine

major ~ Apparel Merchandising
where do you work ~ O, The Oprah Magazine in the fashion closet
what is your title ~ fashion Intern
why did you want to intern here ~ my friend had this internship last summer and she sounded like she had the best internship I've ever heard of so, of course, I wanted it! I had applied, had an interview, and offer in a month
company size ~ on the team i work in thee's about 8 people! as O Mag as a whole im not too sure we have an entire floor at hearst
perks ~ I get to see new clothing, jewelry, shoes, etc. before it's released! i also get to go on photo shoots!
typical day ~ doing returns and running errands to pick up items
favorite part so far ~ I'm so excited to be on extra!!! but the photo shoot was the best part so far! i got to meet models and actresses and it was so cool to see how much was put into a couple photos

favs ~ shopping and eating and there's always something to do
dislikes ~ everything closes really early! I thought that stores and restaurants would be open way later than they actually are! I also don't like how crowded it can get and the subway scares me sometimes

Sarah Paul ~ ShopBAZAAR

major ~ apparel merchandising
where do you work ~ ShopBAZAAR
what is your title ~ fashion intern
why did you want to intern here ~ I wanted to work for a publication because of my involvement at Trend Magazine at school. I knew that I didn’t want to go work at a store and do Merchandising my whole internship so this was a better fit for me
company size ~ I work with around 8 people for ShopBAZAAR and there are two interns but Harper’s BAZAAR has a large floor for the publication
perks ~ Yes I get free stuff like makeup and clothes when they offer and when we have photo shoots we get fed. I also only work 4 days a week
typical day ~ it is different every day which makes it more interesting. Everyday I usually do some returns and schedule messengers for other companies to pick up items from us or for us to pick up from them. I also do Affiliate Photo Uploads every day which requires taking an image from an original site, like Net-A-Porter and putting it in to photoshop to resize and change the background color. I save the image and add information into an excel spreadsheet like the style number, design, name of the product, price, and link. After doing all of that I upload the items into ICAT which is like the behind-the-scenes website for the ShopBAZAAR website
favorite part so far ~ I really like to do Affiliate Reporting and Affiliate Product Uploads because they are most involved with Work on the website. I can see the images I have worked on in the new arrivals page for ShopBAZAAR.com so it is awesome to see that my work is being shown and that I am actually doing something important for the company. I also really like ecommerce so it is a good fit for me
what do you hope to learn ~ I want to learn more about how ecommerce works and hopefully know how to use ICAT completely by the end of my internship. There is so much that goes on behind the site and every little thing makes a difference so I want to understand it all
dress code ~ casual smart. I usually wear nice pants and a t shirt or jeans and a t shirt or nice shirt. But, always a jean jacket because it’s cold in our office

first time in nyc ~ No! I came here in high school with my family and then I came here this past spring break for the ISU field study
how long to adjust ~ not very long cause I have been here before so maybe like a week? It is going by so fast though so I feel like I just went right into it
favs/dislikes ~ favs - food, shopping, always doing something new, always being busy, great picture opportunities, walking everywhere Dislikes - I’m exhausted all the time, there’s not enough time to do everything, mean people lol
food ~ fav food places so far: frying pan, milkbar, the ivy for buffalo wings, ess a bagel, le cafe coffee, sweetgreen
shopping ~ Shopping - brandy Melville DUHHHHH. Also lots of cool stores I follow on insta and only shop online are here so I can go in and shop now
tips on living ~ anywhere you live is going to be a new experience and is going to be cool. There will always be pros and cons. I love my location in Marymount because it is quiet and very safe and close to work but I do wish there were more restaurants and shopping nearby.

Elise Lee ~ LoveShackFancy

major ~ apparel design, technical design focus
where do you work ~ LoveShackFancy
what is your title ~ production intern
why did you want to intern here ~ I followed LSF on instagram way back at the beginning of my freshman year and was mesmerized by their clothing. when I changed my major halfway through freshman year, I told myself that one day I would intern for them and made it my mission!
company size ~ the company is a small team, split between production and retail/showroom. in the production department where I work, there are 8 employees. however, it is growing at a rapid pace and just opened their first store in the Hamptons!
perks ~ other than being immersed in beautiful clothing all day and the fully stocked snack pantry, we do get the occasional free sample from the showroom! what better than free clothes and free foooood
typical day ~ i usually get to the office around 9:45 and get settled into the "intern space" (which just so happens to be right next to the snacks.. coincidence?) every day is different really. some days I'm sewing on new clothing labels, others I am helping organize the development design packet for the summer 2019 line (my fav). i like that my days are always different because it keeps me on my toes as to what I will be doing that day.
favorite part so far ~ besides getting my first free top, I love that I have been able to help put together the development packet! of course, i am not doing the designs, but they have tasked me to update pages, color in tech flats, and even print and put together the packet for the owner herself, Rebecca Cohen!
what do you hope to learn ~ I hope to learn more about technical design because that is my major, but learning about what it takes to start and run a business, especially a young one, has been very interesting.
dress code ~ luckily our dress code is very laid back, but i find myself copying the LSF style of boho chic, which makes me feel like im in a wonderland while at work.

first time in nyc ~ yes! and i love it, although it is filled with some very interesting people.
how long to adjust ~ for me it only took me a couple days to remember streets and directions, but the subway is a whole nother story. after 3 weeks I think I somewhat have gotten the hang of it, other than the occasional mistake.
favs/dislikes ~ the food! the food prices:/
food ~ i have a lot of food allergies, so it's nice that they have a lot of vegan and gluten-free options here
shopping ~ urban. brandy. top shop. that is all i need
tips on living ~ don't be afraid of the city being "too big." it's broken up into so many different parts that, to me, it doesn't seem that large.

huge thank you to Bryannah and Sarah for taking time to help me write this post!

go check out there Instagrams and give em a follow

@bryannahslate @sawahpaul97

and check out Sarah Paul on youtube and Bryannahs fitness insta @fitgalbrybry

day dreamin

June 04, 2018 in life

hey, I'm alive! was not kidnapped in Europe and didn't "accidentally" miss my flight home, all good news. but I have obviously been absent from my blog for a VERY long time.

3 reasons why:

1. I am a procrastinator- I always say I'm gonna do something and I either put it off, or do half of it and say, "I'll do it later." but I eventually do it!

2. going off of procrastinating, I'm sometimes a POS and just am too lazy to do things, no matter how passionate I am about it.

3. most importantly, I have been so busy!! yeah, my classes in italy weren't too hard, but I became so exhausted traveling so much and trying to fit in all my lasts (tough I know, right?) that I started to prioritize, and my blog got the short stick.

but here I am now, sitting in a little cafe, thinking about the things I have done and all my dreams that have come true (so cheesy but whatever) and finally updating my blog! and boy I've got something on my mind about life I wanna share.

they always say, "dream big" and all that bullshit, but when our dreams come true we're so quick to jump to our next big dream that we forget we're living in it right then. I've been thinking about this concept a lot, especially my last month in europe. i told myself to stop thinking about the future and to live in the exact moment that I was in, and by doing that it really allowed me to appreciate where I was. of course, it is hard to not think of new dreams and ideas for the future because it’s exciting, but you can't let that overpower your present mind set. I think by doing this it really can change your perspective on life and have a better attitude. another thing that’s helped me have a positive attitude is looking back on all I've accomplished. I could be upset that there was a lot I didn't do while studying abroad, but instead I think of all the amazing things I did do instead. I was living under the tuscan sun!! (side note under the tuscan sun is my all time fav movie) but seriously how can I be sad about missing out when I was busy doing so much.

we destroy our dreams when we look at the ones we didn't accomplish and I think that's so sad and not a good way of living. two years ago, I said I wanted to live in new york city and intern for LoveShackFancy but never thought it was possible. but look where I am!! in freakin NYC and interning for a company I love. I am so happy I could honestly cry because I took that dream and made it reality because I wanted it so bad.

moral of this post, the life you're living right now is too cool to constantly live in the future.

hope everyone has a lovely week -E

my big fat greek food baby

April 16, 2018 in food & drink

i am the biggest foodie. i could talk about food for hours and rave about my favorite places and stories that go along. i like to blame my food obsession on my family because they are just as food crazy as me. i'm always down to try new things and new restaurants, so if you have suggestions let me know! when asked what my go to food is, it's so hard for me to pick because i switch it every second. im in love with chinese takeout, but get me in front of a pizza and you won't get a bite. sushi is never a question, and if someone suggests mexican (especially nachos) you better be ready for a large amount of guac, even though i'm allergic to avocados. but for some unknown reason, there will always be a special place in my heart for greek food. i don't know if i was greek in a past life or the fact that they put fries in gyros, but something about all the different flavors gets me so excited to talk about it.

TZATZIKI. if you've never tried you are honestly missing out. it's made of yogurt with shaved cucumbers, dill, and other stuff, but all i know is i could eat it by the spoon full. but people usually eat it with pita bread, veggies or grilled meat (i always ask for extra on my gyros).

gyro!! first of all, it is NOT pronounced guy-ro.. you just sound stupid. if i could pick my last meal, a gyro would definitely be top 3. i like to describe it as a greek burrito with pitta bread instead of a tortilla. filled with meats like chicken, lamb, pork, or for the vegetarians, falafel. it's topped with all different options depending on where you go. most of the time it has fries, onions, tomato and tzatziki. i like falafel the best, but we were ~nicely~ told by a greek man that "falafel is not a greek food, it is mediterranean." not sure what that means. we also ate a lot of souvlaki, which is meat on skewers, and typically eaten with.. you guessed it, tzatziki. (if you are in florence check out Mame and definitely get the falafel gyro!)

i love seafood, and greece has the freshest being right on the water. i love calamari, but this summer i was brave and tried grilled squid. definitely a one time thing... too rubbery and spooky looking for me. but the little cat roaming the restaurant terrace was very happy. i really encourage people to try new things though because how often can you say you tried grill squid while watching the sunset in santorini?

my favorite snacks while in greece were greek salads, falafel with hummus (go to falafeland in santorini), greek yogurt and honey, and giant sugar donuts. most importantly baklava, which is a greek desert. if you haven't heard of it you're truly missing out. i have no idea how to describe it other than sweet heaven of caramel crunch. have it with ice cream or even on its own, and i recommend not sharing because you'll be left with wanting more.

unfortunately, the only part of the greek cuisine i no longer can have is olives. i loved them as a kid, but i accidentally swallowed a whole one on spring break (don't ask why because even i don't know how that happened.) it may or may not have been pitted, leaving my roommates to convince me that olive seeds are poisonous. after a 15 minute panic attack and confirming with my mom that i was going to be fine, i decided i will no longer eat olives just to be safe.

priceless experiences

March 10, 2018 in travel

obviously traveling is not cheap, and when deciding where to spend money it can be difficult. one of my roommates told me that we need to spend money on experiences rather than materials because materials come and go but the things we experience stay with us forever. so with this new mindset on money, i've cut back my spending on things (obvi i'm still going to shop because i have no self-control when it comes to clothes) but i really think about whether i need it or if the money can be saved for something else. we have the mentality that we need so much more than we actually do. thinking back on some of my favorite experiences helps me when deciding if i really need another black long sleeve or pair of mom jeans that are "must haves".

so if you struggle like me with an addiction to spending money, think about all the cool things you could experience instead! i've compiled a list of my favorite things i've invested money into that i've done around the world that may inspire you to think before you swipe.

in no particular order:

paragliding over the swiss alps, interlaken

heineken experience, amsterdam (the view!!)

representing USA in the gothenburg soccer tournament, sweden

be inspired.

March 05, 2018 in life

i've been wanting to start a blog for a while now. however, every time i came close to sharing what had become my baby, i always second guessed myself. i never realized till now how terrifying it is to share your thoughts with others, maybe even strangers. i contemplated for months if it was worth the fear of putting myself out there and being judged or to have this dream of creating a blog, continue to just be a dream.

at the beginning of 2018, i told myself that this year was the year for self-improvement and encouraged everyone else to try to look at the world differently. thinking back now, i wouldn't have been fixated on this new mindset if i hadn't been so inspired by bloggers and social media influencers. so i weighed this fear of being vulnerable to the chance that i could possibly impact someone else’s life, and here we are now!

i know not everyone will like what I have to say, and that’s okay because we’re all different! but i am so excited to share my thoughts and ideas, and as long as i’m happy i don’t care what others think. this blog is meant to be a healthy place where people can read about my adventures and be as eager as i am to see the world of food, fashion, and life. most importantly, i hope i can inspire someone the way other bloggers had inspired me.

wandering always,
E

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