How to Finish a Cross-Stitch Stocking (requires a sewing machine)

DIY How to Install Shadow Box Trim Yourself

As soon as we moved into this house I started envisioning all the projects I wanted to do. At the top of my list was to add shadow box trim/molding to our formal dining room. We saw it in a few of the houses we toured and I always liked the look of it. Turns out it's really easy to DIY too!

PLENTY OF POMPEII + CLIMBING VESUVIUS

Our second day in Naples was filled with a trip to visit what was one of the most astonishing places I have ever been. Pompeii was no doubt a sight to behold in its heyday and continues to be even despite the very palpable history and sense of catastrophe that was with us as we explored the massive town. Walking into Pompeii it was clear that the town was so much more than rubble and overgrown grass we could see--it was a whole new world.

TRAVEL DAY: ROME TO NAPLES

Okay, let's get back to recapping our adventure in Italy from September shall we? I went for margaritas with my sister yesterday and she reminded me how I sort of left it hanging after posting about our day at Vatican City. So here I am continuing on with a little bit more of our trip! Our next day was a travel day to re-position ourselves from Rome to Naples. But we started the day in Rome with time to kill before our afternoon train and we wanted to cram in some additional touristy things.

ONE DAY AT THE VATICAN (PART TWO): SISTINE CHAPEL + ST. PETER'S BASILICA + ST. PETER'S DOME

Ok, so let's finish out our "Day in the Vatican" with Part Two. Part One got so long and photo heavy I thought it was better to break it in two. 

So picking up where we left off: walking into Sistine Chapel! 

ONE DAY IN VATICAN CITY (PART ONE): VATICAN GARDENS + NECROPOLIS VIA TRIUMPHALIS + VATICAN MUSEUMS

Our third day in Italy was spent touring the Vatican, the smallest city-state in the world, and taking wayyy too many photographs. My favorite highlight had to be the the Sistine Chapel. No surprise. It also felt like a pilgrimage many years in the making--I went to Catholic grade school for 9 or so years. I can't wait to share everything we did on this very long day.

VISITING HISTORIC ROME - COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM, PALATINE HILL + PANTHEON

On our second day in Rome we explored its most ancient bits, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Pantheon. 

How to Use Your Phone in Italy - Yes, you can! It's easy!

A working cell phone while traveling is pretty much indispensable. To me, it's like comfortable shoes or clean underwear. And while you can try to get by updating your Instagram by using the many places you can get free WiFi (I did that on my honeymoon), having a working cell phone eliminates a lot of stress by enabling you to make calls, use google maps, communicate, update your Instagram, and just feel like you are still connected to the world even though you may be a world away from home.

When in Rome - Our Anniversary Trip to Italy

Let's get this Italy visit recap party started?! This morning I woke up at 6 AM so it seems the jet lag is wearing off and I'm coming back to Eastern Standard time. 6 AM is much better than 4 AM for sure! So where do we begin? Rome!

Post-Vacation Running

Nails of the Day: Taylor Swift Reputation Edition

One last post about Taylor Swift and then I promise I will stop. Yesterday I recapped the fun my siblings and I had when we attended TS’s Reputation Stadium Tour over the weekend. Today’s post is nails of the day inspired by nothing other than Taylor Swift’s Reputation album:

And yes, in my photo I am holding the light bracelet that Taylor Swift gave out at the concert. If you’re not a Taylor Swift fan, her Reputation album cover features a black and white pouty photo of the singer and then a bunch of text that looks like newspaper print. It goes along with her songs about celebrity feuds and whatever, and it also makes for great nail art! I did a simple newspaper transfer manicure, which quite possibly is one of the fastest and easiest nail designs to do. All in all, it looks good AND it is inspired by the album. A perfect manicure for anyone going to her concert!

Taylor Swift Reputation Stadium Tour Recap

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, DIM SUM, ICE CREAM + CHINESE LANTERNS

This past weekend was spent celebrating my neice's 4th birthday, swinging by Chinatown in Philadelphia for the Chinese Lantern Festival, and enjoying some ice cream in Old City. But first, here's a photo of our Fourth of July flag set up. No one in my neighborhood really decorated and I don't have a clue what I'm doing on the decorating front yet (we just moved into this house in the spring) so I kept it super simple: American flags. We hung a house flag on our house pole (I don't have any other flags right now) and then lined our landscaped beds with mini flags. 

Las Vegas Travel Guide

So you're going to Vegas. Whether it's your first time or your fifth time, you are in for some fun! We flew to Las Vegas to celebrate my brother's 21st birthday! Four days of no work, lounging poolside, good food, enjoying some shows, and drinks, drinks, drinks? Sign me up!

I Went to Hogwarts, Literally! Visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter

This experience was mentioned briefly during my honeymoon recap but it definitely could use its own post because there were so many fascinating things about our visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter!

 

Eating in the Eiffel Tower: What to Expect (My Experience at 58 Tour Eiffel)

100 Random Questions

In the spirit of the New Year and all, today's post is going to be a little get-to-know-me post.  I love watching "50 Things About Me" YouTube videos but I don't make videos...so instead I'm just to type it out. If you think of any questions that you want to know just leave it in the comments below and I'll get it answered! Maybe this new year will bring some new visitors here on the blog!