Take me there: Italy's Amalfi Coast

Picture this:   Brilliant bougainvillea and foliage covered cliffs plunging steeply into shimmering bays to create charming coves, deep fjords, cliffs, caverns, bays, natural arches and small pebble beaches.  The azure sea is enhanced by the pastel homes that dot the cliff sides.  Scents of the lemon groves, the vineyards, the broom, the bougainvillea, and the salt air combine to produce an unforgettable sensory experience.

You don't have to LOVE travel like I do to now be begging the question: Where is this magical place you speak of??  Well, it is the breathtaking Amalfi Coast that stretches along the southern side of Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula.

For those busybodies who love to tour around their vacation spots, here are some sights I would recommend:

1:

Villa Cimbrone Gardens

“Incomparable... rising above the roses and oleanders on a plateau whence the gaze sweeps to the sea.” This was the description of Villa Cimbrone given in summer 1835 by the German traveller Gregorovius, who was in no doubt about the charms and magic of this place.

Overlooking the Bay of Salerno, The Villa dates back to the eleventh century and is teeming with history.  

2:

A map of Sul Sentiero Degli Dei

Sul sentiero degli dei is excellent for hiking and REALLY seeing the area.  According to sulsentierodeglidei.it, 

"The best known one of these paths is called the “Path of the of the Gods” because of its fantastic position half way between the sky and the sea. It rises on average at around 500 metres above sea level. The view is incomparable when seen from Praiano and Positano. The vista spans to one side, as far as the island of Capri, and the Cilento region on the other. It is because of our deep love and passion for these mountains and the hope of preserving their existing natural treasures that we desire to share their beauty with our visitors. For an unforgettable day, all you need is: comfortable shoes suitable for bushwalking, a camera and love for walks in the open air!"

Sounds spellbinding, huh?  

3:

Make sure to include a drive along the Coastal road.  It is characterized by its hairpin bends and fantastic views.  The busy artery winds along the cliffs, affording glimpses of blue sea below.  The characteristic towns are easily accessed from the Coastal road, although they are all built at a very steep angle, so streets zigzag backwards and forwards.  The views are undeniably breathtaking, and just a jump from the main road and the tourist hot-spots you can still discover the peace that charmed early visitors!  

So whether you would like to trek your way along the coast, just relax and drink in the areas spectacular beauty, or both, the Amalfi Coast has something for everyone. 

For more on the area, heres a helpful sight.  

Happy travels!  ~Chloe

oh, and P.S. 

DID YOU KNOW that this area is known as the land of the Sirens, in the Homer's epic poem "Odysseus"?  No kidding...!

Summer Drinks!!

Here in Texas it is blazing, so here are some fun summery drinks to take the heat away!!

Fruity is the way to go!!

Left: Basil Lemonade
Right: Grapefruit Soda

                       

Strawberry Key Limeade

    Blackberry Banana & Mint Smoothie    Mango Lassi

                             Iced Mandarin Cafe Mocha
                         Mahana Cocktail

Apple Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

~Kayla

CUPCAKES!!

Ah, ok this is my first post! Woohoo, this is exciting!! Alrighty, let's get to it. So my biggest obsession has to be food, so from me you will se tons of food! ~mostly desserts :)

Ok so most of these delicious pictures are courtesy of Foodgawker, so props!

One of my all time most favorite things in the world are CUPCAKES!!!!! So this post is dedicated to those precious beauties!

Chocolate Salted Caramel...Yum!

Now if you're a Starbucks fan, here's a treat for you!

Mini Cappuccino Cookie Cup

A refreshing trend this summer is more of a fruity dessert, and wouldn't you know it...they have that in cupcake form!!

Vanilla Bean Cake with Strawberry Icing and a Lemon Curd Cupcake

And here's a tribute to Chloe...a Blackbottom Cupcake originally from the Hummingbird Bakery in London! I expect her to find this bakery and bring me back some cake!!

S'mores Cupake...dipped in chocolate ganache!

 Now I know coconut is a hard sell for alot a people, but I love it! Here are two lovely Coconut Cupcakes!

And lastly, an Easter favorite, the Creme Egg Cupcakes. The buttercream icing is made from the creme inside the eggs!!  ~Kayla

hello hair

i know cat's got the summer's fashion trends covered, but i thought i might post one of my own: braids!

nothing says summer like a bohemian flower 'do

braids are the newest hair trend and they're perfect for the hot summer months.

 keep your hair out of your face and make a statement with fun and versatile braids- they were everywhere at music festivals like coachella this year.

florence welch of florence and the machine
 rocks a braid crown
source:celebsalon

the best part is that just about anyone can learn to braid with a little practice!  click right here for a tutorial on one of my personal favorite braids: a variation of french braiding called the waterfall. for extra fun, curl the ends of your hair after waterfall-braiding- or maybe weave in some wildflowers!

 hair models: kristen, beth, and paula

Summer 2012: a countdown to my top 5 clothing obsessions.

3. Floral Print

I am sure you are all thinking, um isn't floral print always popular in summer? Well yes, but this year floral print is sprouting up all over clothes and accessories! Since floral print is pretty self explanatory, I am just going to shower you with a multitude of Pinterest-stolen pictures!

wallpaper and shirt.

obsessed.

really obsessed.

yeah girl, rock those pants.

stunning.

fishtail.

 florally,

cat 

A Tribute to Summer

Ah, Summer.  Dear readers, it's just around the bend!  We (at least I) have been counting down since spring break (10 WEEKS AGO!!) and it is so close, I can smell the sunscreen in the air.  Are we excited? I think yes!

I currently have no interest in studying anymore for my French final (vraiment!), so I'm letting my mind drift to thoughts of the happiest season there is... and since I've noticed a build up of 'summer pictures' on my Pinterest lately I just thought I'd share a few (okay, a lot) to evoke some mid-finals week perspective... because WE ARE ALMOST OUT AND FREE!!  Get excited!!  

So what does summer bring to mind?  I'm about to show you. By category :)

(...Can you tell I'm excited?)


FUN!  The unbeatable joy of being carefree.  Barbecues, parties, beach days...

THE BEACH!  Whether you like to splash in the waves or lounge surf side, there's nothing like a day at the beach.  

                                                   

SWIMSUITS!  And not speedos, mind you.  Summer is bikini season!

                 

FASHION!  Shorts, dresses, skirts!  Easy and breezy.

(And don't forget to flaunt those legs!)

A shout out to the marvelous Cat and her colorblocking!! ;)

the devastatingly glamorous glamorai

have you noticed there has been a lot of orange... not sure if thats just this season or just me :)

is this not the spitting image of our lovely bird-of-a-feather Catherine??   

really just for fun!

TRAVEL!  What better time to explore?

HOLIDAYS!  For us Americans, we have Independence Day and Memorial Day. God Bless America!

FOOD!  Namely, anything frozen/slushy/fruity.  Especially in Texas!  

 

HAIR!  Now's the time to play with color, braids (I'm talking to YOU kelly and kayla my dears), and headbands.  

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST... Don't forget to do a little bit of this

And like Ms. Bardott, jump for joy and JUST HAVE FUN!

Well, that's all for now dear readers. I hope you've enjoyed these pictures and they've sparked some happy thoughts of summer!  Keep reading :)