Thanks Mom, where would I be without you?

 

You have thought me how to laugh, how to love, and how to adventure. 

Influenced me to be myself, and push my creativity & imagination to new heights. 

Showed me a world I would not have known without you, 

but most importantly,

you have been my best friend 

& 

support through good times and bad 

&

 for that I owe you everything. 

Thank you for making me the girl I am today, I wouldn't be her without you. 

F I N A L S w e e k

It's a gloomy afternoon here in Los Angeles, and after a morning of non-stop studying (and getting my laundry done might I add) I felt deserving of a little break to ease my mind. 

When it comes to studying for finals, I am not the person who can lock themselves in a room, away from any outside temptations and only come out to take exams. Instead, I follow a different routine that keeps me calmed, focused, and rejuvenated. 

Wherever it is I choose to study, I make sure it's illuminated with natural light. There is nothing more calming than soft light from the sun, and will make even the most dreadful subjects more enjoyable.

Stay hydrated with water and tea to keep your mind and body fresh and alert. I love adding a few mint leaves, lemon juice, or sliced cucumbers for a instant burst of flavor. As an extra bonus, staying hydrated keeps your body well balanced and less likely to splurge on a food binge! Vegetable juices, orange juice with blended almonds, wheat grass shots, and coconut water are also wonderful additions to indulge in! 

When it comes to finals the motto is "comfy cozy" so bust out the sweat pants, Billie Jean Thermals, and Ballet Flats.

It is crucial for me to surround myself with little things that keep me happy and relaxed. Photographs, candles, and dangling lights are always my go-to's. 

It's always nice to get together with friends and classmates to polish up study guides, pass along notes, and overall support each other through these long days and nights. I always find that when verbally communicating subjects with others I tend to retain more information than when I rely solely on my written notes. 

Never forget to take the time to refresh yourself. Being alert and concentrated can be hard after hours of studying, so I try to keep myself going with these few tricks. Take a break, turn on an episode of Sex and the City or Friends, and fit in a quick workout for an easy boost of energy. I also love taking advantage of a hair and face mask, with soothing scents of lavender or soy to me feeling polished and alert. 

Happy Finals Everyone! 

Study hard, stay fresh, and BREATHE! 

PS. Sometimes all you need is a little mellow music to help you get through long hours of studying. I can't always have it on, but when fitting its a nice way to change up the ambiance. 

Do you think people change?

Finals week begins Monday and during a coffee break in the sun, my friend Scott and I began to reminisce on the past. Intertwined with discussions on summer internships and our out look on the future our conversation began sparking reflections on life. At some point within the conversation he asked me "do you think people change?", and for an instant memories began flashing through my head.

After a morning creating study guides on Simone de Beauvoir and her lover Sartre I must have been been inspired to think about my own philosophy of existence and came up with the following answer.

Change tends to be looked at as an alteration from one thing to a completely different other, but is it really that black and white? Is change just a magician transforming a dove into bunny rabbit, or is it natural just as caterpillars turning into butterflies? When we ask if a person has changed, what are we asking for: if they’re a completely different person then whom they were before or if they have evolved from their past selves? To change isn’t to become a different person, but to addapt and learn from your existence through life and transform into your present self. I feel we forget sometimes that the person we were 10 years ago, the person we were when we were 3, and the person we were last week are still apart of who we are today. We aren’t reborn with each new stage in our lives but rather carry who we are from birth to create who we are in the present, people equipped to become who we will be in the future.

SUMMER TRAVEL PLANS

My third year at Loyola Marymount University wraps up on May 9. In between moving out of my dorm, packing for this summer's wild ride, and catching up on sleep, my boyfriend Ryan and I are trying to take advantage of our few days in LA! 

Our Must haves on the list are a Malibu hike, Hollywood sign adventure, Brunch at Feed on Abbot Kinney. 

Next Ryan and I are road-tripping up to the Bay Area for my friend Carly's Graduation and Bay to Breaker's on May 18! 

We are planning to take the PCH up to San Francisco but stopping in San Luis Obispo and Big Sur. 

  

Next, we are driving to Park City Utah. Ryan's parents recently moved here in January, and we were lucky enough to visit them for Spring Break. I had never seen or touched snow prior to that trip, and was able to learn how to ski. With its breathtaking landscapes and bright sunshine I cannot wait to be back in this magical place.  

  

At the end of the month I will be jetting off to Philadelphia, and starting my 10 week internship with Free People at the URBN headquarters! During my stay in Philly I hope to be able to squeeze in a few getaways. Perhaps Washington DC, Boston & New York 

 

Before heading back to school I will fly out and meet my parents in Paris, where we will visit friends and family. I hope to take a day trip to Giverny and see the infamous water lilies.

               
    

C O A C H E L L A

Guide to Coachella 2013 I made for the store I work at Free People Santa Monica. Here are some trends, and inspiration for the following two weekends festivities! Stop by at our Main Street, Santa Monica location for everything that fits your style. We have everything you need from maxi dresses to colored hair chalk! 

B O N J O U R

Welcome to Paris to Kauai. A guide to my favorite cities and journal of experiences.

  I could not have chosen a better day to embark on this new blog adventure. This afternoon I received an email that I have been chosen to be the intern blogger Free People this summer! The realization that I will be moving to Philadelphia for 10 weeks this summer is kicking in and I can feel my excitement start to tingle in my toes. 

But before I get ahead of myself and lose myself in daydreams and planning, I have many things to look forward to leading up to June 3rd. 

First on the agenda is   C O A C H E L L A   this weekend (april 12-14), and although my blog is entitled Paris to Kauai my focus at the moment is dedicated to this annual festival! 

Cheer's to this new adventure. I'm happy to have you on board!

 

"I'm ready to get my Carrie on!" - Cat