By Alexa Serrecchia | I knew before I left for Italy that I had probably over packed. The question was, by how much? As it turned out, it wasn’t necessarily that I had over packed, but more that I could’ve switched out a few things.

Firstly, I barely used any of the gym type clothes that I brought. I never used my gym sneakers once. I told myself that I would exercise some while away, but I didn’t need to considering how much we walked each day. Also, I didn’t want to waste my time in a foreign country exercising! Therefore, considering that I only used my gym clothes as pajamas, I could’ve brought half the amount that I did. The sneakers also took up valuable space in my suitcase; although, if you’re going to bring bulkier shoes, utilize the space as I did by stuffing smaller items inside of your shoes!

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 By Alexa Serrecchia | After being in Italy for a few weeks and getting adjusted to our new study abroad lives, it was time to test out the waters and see what else Europe has to offer. There are plenty of countries within flying distance of Italy, and with a four-day weekend available, my friends and I chose to explore Paris. Fun fact about Paris in the summer: it’s not as warm as one might expect. We figured, it being summer and all, that Paris would be just as warm as Italy had been. Little did we know how cold it would actually turn out to be.

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Photo | Alexa Serrechia

by Alexa Serrechia | In America, every time that I go to church, it seems I see more and more people wearing sweatpants. In the summertime, it is common to see girls in short shorts and guys wearing gym shorts to mass. No one dresses up for church anymore in the US; my parents used to tell me how they used to dress up for Sunday services, and it was considered abnormal if you weren’t in your “Sunday best.” Here in Italy, it seems that this old tradition is still honored.

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by Alexa Serrechia | Before arriving in Rome, I was told countless times that women here dress much more conservatively than in the United States. I packed several dresses and skirts and left more of my shorts at home. Now that I’ve been here for four days, I’ve noticed similarities and differences between our customs of dress. Read the rest of this entry »

by Alexa Serrechia | Packing: every fashionista’s nightmare. If you’re anything like me, packing for a vacation isn’t a simple few hours task. It is more like a tasking few days spent toiling over which outfits I truly want to bring and which could be left home. This time, I wasn’t just packing for a few days or a week. I will be in Italy for 5 weeks! Read the rest of this entry »

by Renae Virata

Since my trips to Thailand and India will be fast-paced and limited on proper beauty prep areas (I’m not bringing a hairdryer, products and must share two bathrooms with 7 other gals!), I decided to take some beauty shortcuts to make my trip a little easier.  Two weeks ago I did the keratin smoothing treatment and tomorrow, I am getting gel nails! Read the rest of this entry »

Photo | WeareverTheWeather.com

by Renae Virata

If you’re the adventurous type, the best way to cross over the hundreds of grachten (canals) in Amsterdam is to hop on a bicycle.  Everywhere you go, you’ll see rows and rows if not whole clumps of bikes parked next to storefronts or chained to bridge rails.  Be prepared with an outfit that will make those vacation pics worth sharing yet comfortable while you pedal your way through this historic and enchanting city. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo | Samir Hussein/WireImage

by Renae Virata

With the impending wedding of Prince William to his princess-to-be Kate Middleton on April 29, I can’t help but add my two cents to what seems to be about a million dollars worth of commentary on her chic fashion sense.  I could talk about her blue Issa dress, her collection of hats, and her fun club style, but there’s so much more to what her fabulous wardrobe means to a generation of women than meets the eye.   So, as one of those women, I am happy to see that Kate Middleton is the new style icon for the simultaneously poised, sexy and independent chick in her mid-20s to 30s that we’ve been missing for the past decade. Read the rest of this entry »

by Alexandra Escobar

It all began in 1957, when a certain woman we love, the late Audrey Hepburn, dazzled us with something so chic, so elegant that we thought to ourselves, “Why didn’t we think of that?” The Funny Face gal wore something that now has become a comfortable, fashionable, and important piece to every woman’s wardrobe: the legging. Read the rest of this entry »

by Angela Deaton

You can find guest blogger Angela Deaton’s views on fashion and style on her blog EveryoneLovesLipstick.com.

Recently, I had the opportunity to accompany my husband to London while he was conducting business. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity because I hadn’t made it across the pond yet.  I was ecstatic about seeing the amazing history of London come alive before my own curious eyes and couldn’t wait to take in all the fantastic sites the city has to offer. Read the rest of this entry »