Ruffles & Sequins

vacay

rufflesandsequins — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:26:30 +0000

Off tomorrow to my third favorite country in the world (first, USA, second, Barbados) Third: Italy.

I’ll be spending time in Rome for 4 days then off to Brussels and London. I am BEYOND excited.

I will update on Rome.

Things I love:

rufflesandsequins — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:14:04 +0000

Italy
Sainsburys ready meals
Turkey lunch meat
Apple Juice
Online shopping

I had such a lovely weekend. Friday I stayed in alone because Stef and Caroline had Sports Awards dinner (they had a blast) and I also am trying to recover from my ear infection… it’s feeling better today, not much, but a little. Sophie finally made her way back to Brighton late Friday. I was SO happy to see her on Saturday (first time since being back) ad she had a friend Kasha, who had just gotten home from traveling for 8 months and was sharing stories all throughout lunch with Caroline, Soph, Kasha, Emily and myself at this great cafe, Wooden Belly by (Queens Park) and they sounded amazing and adventure filled.

Stef and I watched a movie to relax until we went out later, and the boys showed up, nice to see Jim and Tom again, SUCH nice boys. We met up with Jack and went to OHSO on the beach and then to Revs, we danced and had so much fun until they closed. Today we’re doing nothing really until we all get together and watch The Orphan later on TV. I’m making fruit pizza for the treat and they’re all dreading it, sure they won’t like it, but they don’t realize how amazing it is.

This week should be fun, Monday and Tuesday we’ll celebrate Stef’s being done with UNI!!! And on Wednesday I leave for 9 days in Italy! SO amazingly excited. Whatever we decide to do while I’m there will be fun because it’ll be GORGEOUS and SUNNY and with Molly! I’m starting to pack already due to my excitement.

Hope everyone had just as great of a weekend!

XOXO

Things I’m looking forward to:

rufflesandsequins — Sun, 15 May 2011 22:57:54 +0000

I get to go back to Italy for 8 days in LESS THAN 10 day! I am beyond excited to spend more time with Mike and Molly and have a couple adventures with them. I hope to talk Molly and Allison into going to Verona and taking me to Juliet’s. Mike had mentioned another fun idea, and I hope we do it, because it would be out of my element, but still amazing.

Once I get back, Erika will be getting back from her trip, and I’ll get to spend a couple days with her in London (another tourist to do tourist things with) and also, Stef has offered to go to London and sight see a bit with me.

After a few final (and i’m sure sad but fun) weeks in Brighton, I will be traveling to Rome and meeting up with my mom and Carly, we’ll spend four days (packing every tour possible in) and then we’re off to Belgium for about a day total, taking a train to London and then Brighton to pick up my things and let them meet my housemates (who I will miss immensely). We’ll spend 2 days sight-seeing in England, and then fly out to America on the 29th.

So I don’t sound unrealistic and well, ungrateful, I will also say that I am TRULY excited to start working again, looking for a full time job with benefits. I might be open to start dating again, and mostly, seeing my parents and brothers (and sister) a lot, and my best friends who I miss terribly. Along with these family and friends, I will also be happy to start working so I can save for some trips next year, mostly to Europe, but always my yearly trip to Florida with Amanda and Emmy.

Life is wonderful. I have so much to be excited about and appreciative of. I wish that for all of you <3

XOXO

Back in Brighton!

rufflesandsequins — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:06:18 +0000

Home was wonderful.

What’s also wonderful is being back in Brighton. Oh how I’ve missed my housemates. Tomorrow is Caroline’s birthday party and it’s leopard print theme. Good thing I own a dress already because it’s a HARD print to find and not look like a hooker. I’m happy to be back. I’m excited to go see more of Italy on the 25th, but I also think i’m going to be enjoying this nice, finally warm weather in England.

I’m trying at the moment to talk Stef into doing a lunchtime tea with me, so far she is laughing at me.

Well, i’m off to bed. I did NOT sleep well on the flight over.

Write more this weekend!

Italy – Venice

rufflesandsequins — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:55:16 +0000

Let me start with saying that I am still in love with England and Europe in general, but Italy, ABSOLUTELY takes the cake. It was amazing. I actually am returning once I get back to England from visiting home.

It was sunny, warm, and gorgeous the ENTIRE time I was there. I literally sat out in the sun for hours. And for someone who has been living in gloomy England, that was heaven.

We spent two days in downtown Vicenza (next blog post) and one full day in Venice (about an hour from where I was staying with Molly). Venice was spectacular. The details on the buildings there really made the day for me, I am a HUGE fan of old buildings. Their beauty comes from their age, coloring, and intense details in my opinion and Venice is FILLED with beauty.

We had lunch overlooking the river shortly after you enter Venice (old area) at a wonderful restaurant where I had my first experience with Italian pizza. It. Is. Amazing. They are of course known for their pasta and pizza, and let me tell you, they do NOT disappoint.

We sat outside and listened to a live band playing Italian music in St. Marks Piazza. I can’t even express how magical it seemed.

Overall, Venice was an incredible experience that I wish everyone could have. I cannot say enough good things about Italy as a whole, but especially Venice. I can’t wait to go back!

XOXO

Germany

rufflesandsequins — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:26:30 +0000

So very sorry for the lack of entires! Traveling is time consuming.

Let’s start with my 3 am departure time to Gatwick for my flight to Munich. It started a little rough with the taxi being 9 minutes late to pick me up. I was furious, and yelled at the poor man, then realizing it wasn’t his fault, I apologized, but it had already done the damage, he was scared of me and got me there in (normally takes 7-8 mins) THREE minutes and offered me a reduced rate, so I tipped him heavily. Once at Gatwick, I was calm and excited. The flight was quick and smooth.

On my first day in Munich, Sebastian took me to Dachau. Now, if you know me well, you know I am a closet World War 2 (basically survivors of concentration camps and people who lived in Europe at the time and their stories). It was heartbreaking, sad, and informative. We took audio guides and walked throughout the camp for about 3 hours. I actually kept it together and didn’t cry. I was shocked. Sebastian and I were silent. I will post below pictures of the Barracks that prisoners lived in and the crematorium.

The second day we went to Neuschwanstein Castle about 2 hours outside of Munich. It was BEAUTIFUL. Before we took our tour of the castle we went to a bridge to get some sights of the area around the castle, which was INCREDIBLY high up. The castle itself has a long history, is filled with character, and had stories by pictures on walls. I loved every second of it.

The next day (last day) we spent walking around Munich, seeing the river that has a constant wave that people surf on, beautiful buildings, and took a tram around some sights. It was perfect weather and a great day.

All in all, Germany was absolutely idyllic. I would LOVE to go back there and see more of the gingerbread houses, forests, and historical points of interest.

XOXO

Italy post coming soon!

Amazing Day.

rufflesandsequins — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:04:32 +0000

1. Figured out Trey Songz opening act – Luke Bingham . I have literally been listening to his music non-stop and following him on twitter (and actually seem like a crazed fan I’m sure). He’s going to be huge, I’m sure of it, so please hear his music if you have a chance.

2. 65 and PURE sunshine in Brighton! 65 is NOT summer, so I WAS wearing jeans, a tank top, hoodie, and boots BUT while sitting in the sun outside Honey club directly, I DID take off my hoodie and got one of my arms and half of my face much tanner. Spent a lovely 4 hours by the beachfront and hope to spend a couple more tomorrow.

3. My mom is getting my gym membership for when I get home, one less thing I have to think about.

4. The weather is going to be ridic great in Germany and Italy.

5. SOPHIE IS HOME <3

Friday! Friday! Friday! Love weekends!

XXXX

I’ve had a lot of free time and lack of housemates so…

rufflesandsequins — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:51:42 +0000

I’ve watched Love Actually twice, 90210 catch up, and The Only Way is Essex and Black Swan and Red Riding Hood. Not kidding.

Today to change my routine up I got dressed! put make up on! and decided to go out and enjoy the sunshine. I went to fix my hair and … my Chi is broken. I sulked for a good hour, talked to my mom and she said she’ll get me a new one, so I put a smile back on, got dressed, went to the store to buy lotion (so I can continue trying this self tanning idea). I immediately knew I was overdressed when there was a girl in the streets with a tee and short on, I, being American, realize that 63 in Brighton isn’t summer, so I was wearing jeans, tank top, and a light spring jacket. Turns out, I wasn’t. It was perfect temperature. Granted, after my luggage purse was filled with groceries, it was a bit hot, but not overwhelmingly hot. I got home only to find I had bought body wash instead of lotion (who puts them NEXT TO EACH OTHER??!!). I have turned to chocolate and Gilmore Girls to ease my frustrations.

I’m about to finish packing for Germany (which makes me happy) and also start planning some of my summer plans, Ireland and Belgium are definites. Hope EVERYONE is having a less annoying day (but still immensely happy to be here and thankful for the sunshine).

XXX

Trey Songz

rufflesandsequins — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:57:17 +0000

WAS AMAZING!

1. The supporting act was insanely good and also insanely hot.

2. Trey Songz is ridiculously good and also ridiculously hot.

Sophie and I decided that had we known just HOW good looking the performers would be, we would have made our way to the front, but even being in the back we still had great views of everything (it was elevated so we could see perfectly fine) and it would less pushy.

I would most definitely see him again and while I’m mildly in love with him from hearing him sing, I wouldn’t be that fan throwing her bra on the stage as MANY people were. I in fact though was much more impressed with his opening act’s looks than his, and he’s not famous and we can’t figure out who he was (couldn’t understand his accent, AT ALL) BUT he did walk through the crowd while Trey Songz was performing and who did you think spotted him? Me. But ALL I could do (literally) was stand there and smile while he smiled and rubbed my arm. NO Picture, no clarifying his name, NOTHING but a GIANT, OMG why is he so beautiful, smile.

During the songs we didn’t know as well, we had entertainment, in the form of a pikey wearing a trashy outfit standing in front of us. Hilarious.

Overall, it was SUCH a great night. Sophie and I bought new coats (needed one for germany) at Newlook before, and there was a coat check so we didn’t have to worry about our coats and bags at our feet. We’d definitely do it again <3

Love Brighton

rufflesandsequins — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:05:33 +0000

I woke up having a mild panic attack at 5 am. Why? Because I’m going to have to leave England. Sure, it’s not tomorrow that i’m flying home, but 2 months has flown by SO fast it’s ridiculous and to think I basically only have 2 months left, is, well, INSANE and depressing, but mostly insane. I have this amazing opportunity and have been enjoying basically every day here (even had fun on sick days) and I can’t believe how much I love my housemates and I am, in all seriousness, dreading not seeing them on a daily basis. I love Zizzi’s, Black Lion, Oceana, Revs, the Laines, Asda, the Marina, Caroline, Sophie, Stef, and a handful of others Yes I will be able to come back and visit them, probably even this year, but it doesn’t make it any easier to think about. Luckily, I did fall back asleep around 6 am with the reassurance that I will make the absolute most of the next few months, April-June.

Starting with: MORE TIME IN THE LAINES (hoping you’re reading this Soph), traveling to the castle outside Southampton, London tourist sights, and the beach.

Even earlier than planning that is my Trey Songz concert tomorrow! I also am all packed for Italy and have started for Germany. I’m SO excited for that. I am hoping Molly and I get to go to Venice and Verona on top of seeing her town (city) or Vicenza. Don’t worry, I’ll take PLENTY of pictures!

Attached some recent pictures! I’ve been busy!