As I am scrambling to look for French books and audio books to practice my listening and speaking skills, the butterflies in my stomach are fluttering. You can hear me speaking broken French in my car (whenever I'm alone, of course) saying, Je dois parler français plus souvent. Je dois pratiquer! Si non, j'échouerai mes cours et deviendrai seul en France. Translation: "I must speak French more often. I must practice! If not, I will fail my classes and become alone in France."I should practice being more positive because I'm finding that my French negativity is scaring me beaucoup.

Does anyone have any suggestions for beginning-intermediate French reads? I've taken 2 years of French and I need to enhance my comprehension and listening/speaking skills. I wish I knew someone who spoke it fluently; then, I could take after Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat. Pray. Love by meeting up with them at a local cafe...just talking, practicing an entirely foreign language.

To make me feel better, a friend recommended that I read Me Talk Pretty One Day. Just by the title of the book, I'm assuming it will shed light on the joys & woes of language barriers through humor and mortifying situations.

Another way to soften the blows whenever I'm reminded of my incredulous and daunting (but beautiful) journey ahead, is through other people's experiences. Not only do I have friends who have experienced the same, there are other people out there who know what it's like. Reading My Tea Leaves blogger Erin guest-blogged and wrote a beautiful entry of her journey in France. Here's an exerpt (and a picture!):

For the next ten months, I would teach English to French school children in five different elementary schools. I would live with a family of six and care for four adorable children. I would ride bus number 15 to teach my classes. I would take a short cut through the trees to tutor a high school boy in English. I would pass the same woman with her baby stroller every day for months, always in the exact same spot, always at the exact same time. I would create a life for myself in Mâcon, and at the end of a year, I would leave it all behind.
(Source: Lost in Translation)

She continues on to talk about re-entry into the States, which I've been warned, is harder than living in a foreign country. I have no doubt that me coming back is going to be difficult--how do you share the most amazing months of your life with someone who doesn't understand? There's no way, right? Unless they've experienced it themselves...that is why I am trying to get anyone and everyone I know to come visit. What better way to share the absolute epitome of beauty with your loved ones than to be in Lyon, France together?

When my boyfriend, Mark, studied in Rome, I made a trip out there. What ended up being a mini vacation turned into the most breathtaking 10 days of my life that inspired me to pursue a creative career that I would love and cherish forever--writing. I never imagined that the beauty of history's storytelling and the magic of Rome's architecture (from it's crumbling Colliseum to it's ancient cobblestone roads) would inspire me to pursue a creativity using words as my outlet. Needless to say, my trip out there allowed me to understand Mark when he needed to express his emotions about Italy.


Those are just a few fun pictures--I have over 200! Anyway, those are just some of my thoughts, anticipations, fears, hopes, etc. I hope your Tuesday is as inquisitive as mine, if not more! Happy day to you<3

Ahhh...summer (what? 65 degree weather?)

First, I must start off with this. Leo and Bar Rafaeli...but look...closer. What is that? It's a UCI hat...represent!!


Anyway, that was sort of exciting to see today. UCI is known as boring, apathetic, a research/commuter school, blah blah blah..but this shows, that we're climbing, getting up there. I mean, we do have the best men's volleyball team in the nation (NCAA Champs) and we were the #1 ranked baseball team too (they sadly lost to Virginia in the NCAA semifinals). So, why wouldn't one of the best-known actors sport our school?

I'm going to keep this posting short until I have some time to come up with some nice pictures and thoughtful words to say. I'll leave you with this...a little chuckle (or a shock effect) for your day :-)


She wore this in Vegas. I understand that LV isn't exactly the fashion empire; it's no Paris or New York City, but c'mon, really? I don't want to come across as judgmental but why wear anything at all? And I wouldn't say this is exactly club, or night, or any time of the day, attire at all. Anyway, smile away. Have a great day!

Done-zos!

Well...almost. I have one more final on Monday and then, I'm done-zos. Should be a pretty nice weekend--going away party for my lovely Irish friend, Claire; baseball game, "Up" and dinner with the boyfriend, Korean food, beach and study...don't ask me how I'm going to fit all of that in the next 2 days..but I will!

I'm so excited for "Up"! I get to see it in 3-D. Has anyone else seen it? Thoughts? 3-D or just normal?

Anyway, I'm thinking about getting my hair cut...but really short..pixie status. I cut it into a bob about a year and a half ago and I loved it; but then, I wanted to grow it long again and it took forever. I had the "soccer mom" phase going on for awhile. Part of my inspiration is the fact that I will be studying in France next fall--I want to be as chic as possible...and it's a fresh start! Why not do something bold, right? Here's a few looks I like; gimme your thoughts:

Oh Leoluca Vintage

The Sartorialist

Garance Dore
(Ironically, the girl in the pic is the Sartorialist's asst)

So, yes, your thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Because I know just as well as you do, long hair is absolutely beautiful...but short hair is so much fun!

2 style icons that I've secretly stalked (but have avoided mentioning because everyone in the fashion blogosphere thinks the same thing) are Alexa Chung and Eric Wasson. Why are they so rad? I like the fact that they do whatever they want, don't listen to the hype and rock it confidently. It's the ish.






I've got a pretty good wishlist going right now. Since summer is here and I'll have more time on my hands, I want to shop! A part of me says "Why not, Liz?! Go for it" and the other part of me says "Wait til you get to France, you idiot." Sigh.

(Boyfriend jeans; I've always loved 'em. I think instead of buying some, I'll just steal a pair of my boyfriend's old pants, sew 'em up and voila!--I'm sure he'll appreciate that)

(I just love this fabric of gaudiness. It's fun, quirky and fabulous. Gotta get my hands on it!)

(This too...This classic cardigan has a little bit of twist and hot spice if you ask me!)

(Lastly but definitely not least, are these SICK wedges from Nine West. Saw them in NYC and have been eyeing them ever since. They're on sale now...it's the shopping gods that are giving me the thumbs up!)

Anywho, I'm hungry and I need to get back to work. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Ciao!

One love <3