Travel Italy

This past fall I studied abroad in Florence, Italy. So if you need a planner to plan a whole trip through Italy, I am your girl. I was able to reach about 25 different cities through this beautiful country. The transportation is the greatest part because it is so easy, and a lot cheaper than flying. In all honesty, Italy is a country in Europe that you CAN'T miss out on, and I know that i've said that in my past blogs about other countries, but nothing will beat seeing and emerging yourself in the culture of Italy!  

The reason why I fell in love with this place so much was because it reminded me of California (my home). You will be able to see every eco system out there..well close enough! From snow, lakes, beaches, dessert, and wineries, there will always be something new around the corner. 

A few cities that i would make sure you go to would be Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Orvieto, & the Amalfi Coast. You will see such potent culture, the greatest foods, the most delicious wine, and the friendliest of people. 

Enjoy!

Travel Switzerland

If you are looking for a perfect week vacation to Europe, make the effort to see Switzerland. 

Interlaken: This adventurous town sits between two crystal blue lakes, and is also the heart of the magnificent Jungfrau region mountain world. There are over 45 mountain railways, cable cars, chair lifts and ski lifts that lead to 200 kilometers of pistes and a dense network of hiking trails. Excursion ships, including historic paddle steamers, ply the waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. If you are one who is into the outdoors and adventurous through the mountains, this isn't a place you should miss out on.

• Harder Kulm Hiking Trail  – a cableway that takes passengers up to Interlaken’s "house mountain“ In which you will see a view of the health resort and the whole Jungfrau region. The Alpine wild animal park near the valley station is an experience for children as well. If your feeling daring, hike up the trail right before sunrise (with head lamps obviously), and you will see the most breathtaking view at the top. 
  
  
  
  
    
• Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn – the rides by rack-railway to the highest railway station in Europe and the cableway to the Piz Glora revolving restaurant: two top mountain experiences in the Bernese Oberland.
• FONDUE at Bebbis Restaurant- this country created cheese fondue, and let me tell you, its not something you should miss if you are a cheese or chocolate lover.  

This is one of the easiest towns to get to from any airport in Switzerland. Interlaken has two train stations at both ends of the town, in which will take you to any other city in Switzerland. 

Enjoy!

Healthy Desserts

So I know all of you have a sweat tooth, well at least i do, and its large and in charge. I love working out and eating healthy because that's what motivates me everyday, but w=once dinner is over and I'm sitting on the couch all i call think about is junk, sweats, and chocolate! Well if you feel the same way, don't worry because i have great and healthy options for ya! 

Arctic Zero Fit Frozen Dessert

Arctic Zero® is the pioneer of Fit Frozen Desserts, without all the fat and calories. Handcrafted from premium ingredients, Arctic Zero is low glycemic, lactose free, gluten free and GMO free. It’s the perfect zero-guilt pleasure whenever your sweet tooth strikes. For a WHOLE PINT your calorie intake will be 150 calories, and at most 300 calories depending on the flavor.

If you link to their website... https://www.arcticzero.com you will find a tab where you can locate your closest pint of sweat goodness!

 
Quest Bar Nutrition
Quest Bars were created from a simple idea: healthy food should taste amazing with zero compromises. Quest set out to deliver something that no one had done before and believed that with enough hard work and innovation food could be delicious and good for you. People eat for enjoyment rather than sustenance. 
There is over 15 flavors, and each protein bar is no more than 250 calories at the most! My favorite thing to do for dessert is grab the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor (or any flavor for that matter) and put it either in the oven or microwave for 2 minutes, and it comes out like a gooey cookie. You can even have one of these bars for breakfast! 

 

  Enjoy!

Movie Time.

Need an excuse to go to the movies? Well you are in luck because 3 amazing new movies just came out last week. 

After her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters, who reduce her to scullery maid. Despite her circumstances, she refuses to despair. An invitation to a palace ball gives Ella hope that she might reunite with the dashing stranger (Richard Madden) she met in the woods, but her stepmother prevents her from going. Help arrives in the form of a kindly beggar woman who has a magic touch for ordinary things.

This isn't your typical disney movie. This young, beautiful new Cinderella puts a modern twist to the story, and it captivates you the whole way through. 

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% 

Now on the run from Jeanine (Kate Winslet) and the rest of the power-hungry Erudites, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) search for allies and answers in the ruins of Chicago. They must find out what Tris' family sacrificed their lives to protect and why the Erudites will do anything to stop them. Side by side, Tris and Four face one seemingly insurmountable challenge after another, as they unravel the secrets of the past and -- ultimately -- the future of their world.

This movie is action packed, filled with endless loss and fighting. 

Rotten Tomatoes: 31%

In Depression-era North Carolina, the barren wife (Jennifer Lawrence) of an ambitious timber baron (Bradley Cooper) sets out to murder the woman who bore her husband an illegitimate son.

This dynamic duo does a profound job at expressing love, weakness, and pain. This movie is filled with greed, corruption and gender roles in society. 

Rotten Tomatoes: 21%

(their a little rough on the voting) 

Now that you have 3 options to see at the movies, go this weekend!

Spring Time Bodies

Its officially Spring, and you know what that means...It's almost summer. Where did this year go??? Anyways, we got to get in tip top shape now, so here are some workouts that will help a sista out that i swear by! 

 Don't forget that all this working out is great for your body, but you got to eat the proper foods so these workouts are actually doing something. 

Visit Tampa

Ready for the sun? visit Tampa, Florida! 

Are you looking for a city and the beach all in one? Then Tampa, Florida is the place you want to be. Tampa is easily accessible to many hot spots in Florida such as, Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and more! In 2008 it was ranked top 5 best outdoor cities in USA. Tampa is very family oriented, and has many activities and events going on throughout the year.

Working Out:

If you are a runner, Bayshore Blvd. is where you want to be. This is the longest, continuous sidewalk in America. It’s filled with bikers, runners, and rollerbladers all hours of the day. There is even a section of the sidewalk where it’s a mile long with different workouts you do every 50 yards.

If biking gets you to sweat the most, then Tampa has many bike stops where you can rent them for an hour at a time. This will cost you $5 dollars and hour, but trust me its worth it because it’s a great way to enjoy the scenery and you can wander through the neighborhoods and look at all the mansions.

Shopping:

Hyde Park is right off of the bay, and here you will get a close-knit community with great stores to stroll through. Main stores you will see are Lulu Lemon, Anthropology, Tommy Bahamas, and Pottery Barn. Every first Sunday of the month, Hyde Park has a large farmers market that is great for family and friends.

Westfield Citrus Park is a great mall located very close to the bay. This mall features anchor stores Dillard’s, JCPenny, Macy’s and Sears. This is the perfect place to have a day full of shopping.

Night Out:

Soho District- a mile off of the bay is a street filled with bars. Many young professionals and college students will be strolling around here Thursday-Sunday. There are over 15 bars and clubs that you can choose from.

Eating:

Fresh Kitchen, Green Lemon, Hyde Out, The Bungalow, and Ava are all amazing eats rights in the Soho District. These places all range from Mexican, Italian, sushi American, and healthy eats. Ulele is a perfect Saturday brunch place with a cool vibe right on the river. Jackson’s is the perfect Sunday brunch spot right on the river. You pay $22 dollars up front and get an endless buffet of amazing food. If you are looking for the greatest burger of your life, check out Cafe Ponte.

Beach Day:

If you are looking to check out Tampa’s local beaches, Clearwater is the most popular. If you are with young kids or your family, Clearwater is the best beach for you. St. Petersburg is just 10 minutes down the road, and this beach is perfect for college kids and young adults. There are many fun bars and restaurants to check out.

Things To Do:

Just right in the bay you can rent paddleboards, water bikes, Duffy boats, and kayaks.

Davis Island is another place right off of Bayshore Blvd. where you can layout at their local beach and bring your dogs to the dog beach.

Visit Tampa Bay, and enjoy all it has to offer!

You Can't Miss This Show..

Are you bored at home on those week nights or weekends and looking for something captivating to watch? We all LOVE to binge watch TV on Netflix, and i got the show for you…3 seasons of HOUSE OF CARDS! A series filled with greed, sex, love, and corruption in modern Washington, DC. 

This is an American political drama television series that takes place in Washington, DC. House of Cards is a story of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a Democrat from South Carolina who tries to win his way up the latter in the white house. The series deals with themes such as, ruthlessness, pragmatism, manipulation, and power. 

The first season received 9 Emmy Award nominations and earned 4 Golden Globe Award Nominations. The second season earned 13 Emmy Award nominations and 3 Golden Globe Award Nominations. The 3rd series just came out on Netflix on February 27th.  

Now that you have a little background and a slight push & shove from me…go watch the show, and you will never put down that clicker until it is done! 

Travel Amalfi Coast

Introducing Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello, the Mediterranean coast is alined with coastal mountains, picturesque towns, & lush forests. 

I visited the Amalfi coast while studying abroad in Fall 2014. Positano and Amalfi sparkle the brightest amongst the rest. If there was one place you were able to pick up your bags now and just go….Amalfi Coast, Italy is the place to be. The Amalfi Coast is for everyone, at anytime, at and pace. 

I prefer you fly into Rome, and take the train down to these amazing little cities on the costly region of Italy for about 3 days. You will be able to hit each town for a day, and even go to Capri Island where you will see the famous blue grotto, and drink the famous lemoncello. At each destination you stop at, especially Capri Island & Positano i recommend you getting a boat tour around the coast, then you will be able to capture breathtaking views, clift jump,  & enter into the blue grottos.

Positano has the best to go to out of all the little towns. In Amalfi, you have to go on a short hike to Valle dell Ferriere, where you will see the most amazing waterfall, and the beautiful nature of the south Mediterranean. The Amalfi Coast isn't just known for its beauty, but its food too.You will find the greatest seafood dishes, even if its just fish, or pasta, or even pizza.  

Stay Fit.

Don't just work out to fit into a tight dress, make it apart of your life. 

1. Exercise even if you only have 15 minutes that day to do so. Anything physical is better than nothing. I mean you can even do jumping jacks before you get into the shower! 

2. Try not to plan your day by day work outs. Just go to the gym and see how you feel that day. If you plan ahead your going to feel forced into the work out and no one wants that! 

3. Mix it up! Everyday try something different. Run, cycle, swim, do yoga, or even do work out videos. It makes working out fun and exciting instead of boring, and you all know what i'm talking about….(sitting on a stationary bike or working on the elliptical everyday can get old). 

4. Buy a fitness tracker like the Fitbit or a Nike Fuel band. If you are a competitive person and strive for goals, then this is your way of motivation. With these devises you'll take those extra steps that one night or run 1 mile more that day to maintain your goals consistently, and you can compete with your friends! 

5. Eat REAL FOOD! If you think eating a salad for every meal will help…it won't. It will only allow you to binge later on. 

6. Don't drink during the week. Limit yourself to only the weekends. Alcohol can put a big damper on your body, and the results that you want. 

7. Even when you are feeling a little sore, work out. Don't go to the gym and do intense lifting. Instead go on a light jog or go to a cycling class and take it easy that day. This will help alleviate your sore muscles quickly. 

8. Remember the main goal isn't to run 8 miles everyday, it's to stay physical. Something is better than nothing. Even if that means you only want to do a 5 minute ab work out that day. 

9. Don't be afraid of carbs! Carbs will give you energy to do your workouts everyday, and don't worry you'll burn them off anyway! 

10. Drink A LOT of water, and add a lemon to your water. It will help detox you. 

Snacks to stay away from: 

Cheez-its, granola, baby carrots, 

banana chips, bottled smoothies, 

pretzels, rice cakes, and diet soda.   

Visiting Chuck Town

Looking for a weekend get away? Well I got a place for you! Travel down south to warmer weather and brighter houses to the quaint little city, CHARLESTON. 

 This past weekend I decided to drive down to Charleston, South Carolina. My friend goes to school at College of Charleston, so I got to see this cute little city through the perspective of a local. Today I am going to give you an idea of what to do if you ever decide to visit. 

 Beaches:


1. Sullivan's Island 


This island has nice, long beaches that are great to lay out on, run/walk on, and hang out on because it is not as touristy as the other beaches.


Fort Sumter National Monument. Here you will learn about this storied spot of the first clash between the union and confederate armies in the civil war. 

Sullivan Islands Lighthouse


2. Folly Beach 


This beach is perfect if you are looking for a younger crowd. You can also spend all day catching some waves (Big surfer spot). 

Streets: 

1. King Street

 This is the center of downtown where you will find every retail store you can think of, restaurants, bars, ice creme shops, coffee shops, and more

Every second sunday of the month, the city closes down King street to all cars. All the restaurants put seating outside, so you will get the European vibe you've always wanted in America. 

2. Market Street

Here you will find a massive market running through the center of the street. There are many vendors with unique art, jewelry, and pottery. This is the place to find all of the touristy things one wants while traveling. 

3. The Battery

This is a place where you can enjoy a run/walk along the water. There is a park that people work out in and walk their dogs as well. Here you will see the best houses in Charleston.    




Restaurants: 

1. Fleet Landing 

This is Charleston's Best Waterfront Restaurant, that has a view you will not want to miss. Housed in a 1940s retired naval building on the east side of the Charleston peninsula, Fleet Landing Restaurant features Chef Drew Hedlund’s classic and contemporary Southern seafood fare in a setting that celebrates the area’s waterfront heritage. Good for all ages. 

2. Taco Boy

Just a little outside of downtown, you will find a urban, hipster"esc" restaurant. This place is mexican style food, with margaritas to die for. Great for ages 21 and up!