Let the Countdown Begin

Who am I kidding, it started months ago... but in 32 hours the girls will get here for vacation.

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!

The Trend that Will Never Die

Even Amsterdam is loving the anchors... it must be because of all of the canals.

Who Doesn't Like Crafts, really?

Scene: sitting in cafe, drinking wine and writing a trip report on the Ferragamo Museum (yes, really!)

Time: Monday, late afternoon

Reason: wine is more interesting than class

Out of nowhere Nicki (new roommate) looks up at me and says, "I can't wait to move into your place so I can finally start making pillows."

Yeah, I was confused too... but I hope "make pillows" she really meant "cook lots of food".

Fashion is Subjective

I just got this email. One more reason why I love my friends...

"I'm bringing this dress to Italy. Remind me not to sit on the ground in it. Or as Lisa says: You are wearing that? As a shirt?"

Morning Sunshine

Conversations Part 4: Inside the Salon

"Ok," I declared as I pulled out 5 earmarked magazine pages. "These are what I had in mind."

"Only these," he questioned teasingly. "Are you sure there aren't others hiding in your purse?"

"Nope, just these... well a combination of them all. I trust you, just work your magic and make me beautiful."

And so he cut off his version of three inches and I bopped right out of there.

Amsterdam

From way up on your cloud
Where you've been hiding out
Are you getting somewhere?
Or did you get lost in Amsterdam?

Picture of the Day

We walked past this restaurant 5 times. And each time I couldn't help but stop, point and giggle out loud.

Out to Lunch

(until Sunday)

At Jeff's Request

more pics...

Only In Italy

I just got an email me that my flight to Ibiza in a few weeks was changed and instead of departing at 2pm it would leave at 11:45pm. Normally something like that would seriously irritate me, but I couldn't help but laugh instead. Only an Italian airline would just change the time by almost 10 hours with no explanation and expect it to be cool.

My favorite line in the email was, "Please can you advise all passengers travelling in your party of the following changes."

Seriously, I love Italians.

(oh and I actually ended up getting on a better flight)

Picture Perfect

It was the girl's "Cause Me Pain Hedi Slimane" shirt that first caught my eye, considering I have never seen one outside of New York City. But it is the guy standing next to her that is making the real fashion statement. What's not to love about bermuda shorts and a fedora hat...

New Sia... Not as good as the old

Conversations Part 3: Your Age

While sitting outside this evening having a beer, I started to tell Nicki a story I just heard from my 10 year high school reunion.

NicNic: you've been out of high school for ten years?!

me: yeah. wait, have you even been out for five years?

NicNic: no, that is the thing, I am kind of bummed I am missing it because I won't get to see all the pretty girls come back fat.

me: that totally happens too. It's great!

NicNic: wow, 10 years, you're old!

me: I hate you.

I don't know, I haven't been outside yet...

Today in Florence it is:

a. sunny and uber hot, as usual

b. cloudy and windy, sort of like football weather

c. grey and rainy, which means I slept until 12:30, wrapped up in my favorite scarf and came to the nearest cafe to do some work and people watch

Picture of the Day

Same Song, Different Version

This is so close to the border of being cheesy that it is sorta hard not to love.
Click here to listen.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Help! I need more testosterone in my life! I am at school with mostly girls all day, and aside from a few guys, I go out with mostly girls (who are absolutely amazing and hilarious) at night. I couldn't figure out what was going on and then it occurred to me... my yin and yang are totally out of whack! Way too much estrogen and way too little testosterone. I need more men around me. Thankfully my Italian tutor is on his way over...

I will never make fun of my guy friends for being girls again!

5 Things I Am Excited For

1. My Italian tutor tonight
2. Getting my hair cut this Friday
3. Getting to see my girls a week from Wednesday
4. Laying on the beach doing nothing
5. Dancing barefoot in the sand

Kharma Has a Great Sense of Humor

I don't believe in working on weekends. Weekends are for brunch with friends, being lazy by any body of water (pool or ocean), driving with the top down, and eating and drinking way too much. I have always believed in laughing at my friends when they do have to go to work on the weekends though.

But this weekend I have been forced to spend way too much time in front of my computer working on a project that is due in a few days. I totally take back anything I said about school not being hard.

And to make it worse, I can't even drink my wine because of the medicine I am taking for my arm. I know, you feel bad for me, right?

Guess who's laughing now?
... and it's not me.

People Crush #9: Music to My Ears

Listen to these two street musicians and prepare yourself to start crushing too. I first heard them the other night while walking to the pharmacia. And when heard them last night on my way home, I couldn't resist stopping and staring in awe. It also helped that they were playing one of my favorite songs!

Let Me Sweaten You Up

Dear Mom, Dad, Kristin, Ian, Aunts, Uncles, and all of my friends with paying jobs,

Please send money. I can't stop shopping.

kisses,
me

It Will Find You

I See London, I See France

On our way to school entirely too early this morning, I looked across the street and caught site of a not-so-cute Italian man with his goodies hanging out. I mean completely naked. His pants were around his ankles.

My roommate's first instinct was to do a double take. My first instinct was to immediately drop to the ground and laugh uncontrollably. My second instinct was to take a picture, but I thought the laughter was humiliating enough.

Poor guy... such a fashion no-no.

Life's Tough Choices... Well, Not Really

Would you either...
1. take the opportunity to meet Ferragamo personally, or
2. go to Amsterdam?

yeah, that is what I picked too...

Ring Around the Roomate

Take one apartmentadd two foreigners
take one way
add one more
and there you have it

Hot, Hot Heat

Spotted: Piazza della RepubblicaLoving the whole 'GI Jane does summertime' thing. But come on, black boots in 100 degree heat? Even though I am more used to crossing it, I have to draw the line.

A One Word Answer

This cut. My hair.
(except in brown, obvi.)

Since It's Already Hot, Why Not Add To It

Act 5. Scene 2: Reality Joins the Party

Just when the party is getting good, in walks Reality. Either she:

1. shows up an invited guest, brings you a bottle of wine and proceeds to make you laugh the rest of the night.

2. saunters in uninvited, shares a few martinis with you and it isn't until she has left that you even realize that she was there.

3. barges through the front door wearing your favorite dress, drinks the last of your wine and smacks you in the face on the way out.

... but the good news is that sometimes a good smack in the face is better than that last glass of wine anyway.

Sunshine Smunshine

Today's weather has a smiling sun with 40 under it.
Tomorrow's weather has a red hot sun with 44 under it.
That translates to entirely too hot to move.

So I did what any logical person would do... got gelato and went shopping for a new bathing suit.

I Just Wanna Get Simpsonized

A new website hasn't caused this much excitement (or wasted as much of our time) since Elf Yourself came along last Christmas. And just like that website, this one refuses any picture that I've attempted to upload.

Here's hoping you have better luck... and are willing to share the results!
Click here to get Simpsonized.

I know, I know... always late to the party

Happy (belated) Birthday Mr. Peter Corbett!Hope it was as colorful as you are!

hugs,
"b"

Summer Casual

Spotted: by the DuomoVerdict: Cool, calm and collected

Guess Who's Back?

If A.C. Slater had a little brother,it would be this guy...

The mullet is making a comeback.

Inner Glow

Yeah we only want to sing when we want to
Yeah we only want a dream we can flaunt to
Yeah we only want a field we can run through
Yeah we only want a beat we can drum to

Ring, ring, ring..

Whenever my phone used to ring late at night I would never answer it. Usually because I knew it was a friend, calling tipsy from somewhere loud. Now I love those calls. Especially with the 6 hour time difference. Because usually when they are out living it up, I am on my way to class or just having my morning coffee. They make me giggle and put a smile on my face. The stories, the background noise, the funny things that people tell you. They make me feel remembered, and who doesn't love that!

... and to the two drunk monkeys that I talked to this morning, just remember that while you are hating life in the morning, I will be loving it on a sandy beach!

Looks Like the Stork is Coming to Town

Congratulations Michelle and Marcus!!!!
Yea, yea, yea... SO EXCITED for you!

Hugs and kisses!
Meggy

The Only Accetpable Reason to Wake Up at 6am on a Saturday

Weekend beach bag:
3 bathing suits
1 dress
2 flip flops
spf 30
head scarf
linen pants (to cover sunburn on the train back Sunday)
camera
major hopes that the sun, sand and saltwater will have therapeutic effects on my hand.

Have a good weekend!

kisses,
me

Passing Notes in Class

Act 3. Scene 1.
The American girl attempts to undo the previous night's damage with m&ms, a watermelon chupa chup sucker, diet coke, and sparkling water.

Floral and Loving It

Spotted: walking along the ArnoWhile I can't support her choice in white sandals and matching purse reincarnated from 1994, the rest of her outfit caught my eye. Her green and white sundress is quite cute, in that sorority brunch in the rose garden type of way.

Such a fun memory...

Hey boobers, remember the time, the metro, the too much free grey goose and the shared headset?

It Shimmers and It Glows

Field of lightThey hold me inside

Count my starsThey're all lucky in the sky

(recognize these lyrics?)