French-American Fashion

During the three weeks that I was in France, I'll be honest, I spent quite a bit of time shopping. I did a lot of other things, too, don't worry. But in my exploration of the cities, I would duck into a boutique here and there and I think it was a great way to get a different sense of the French culture. Fashion is so interesting that way. With fashion, you can see what other cultures are affecting the French. For example, Abercrombie is a very popular brand over there, among other American marks. In Paris alone I saw three different American Apparel store (and I may have bought a circle scarf...). By seeing the different fashion trends, whether I recognized them as American or not, it gave me a good sense of French pop culture.





In this outfit, the shorts were thrifted in Paris and the shoes were bought in Clermont-Ferrand from a store called André. It is a pretty large chain shoe store that can be found throughout France and I pretty much fell in love with their sandals. This is one of the two pairs that I bought in my three weeks and they are so versatile. I bought them because I was in pretty desperate need of a pair of casual sandals and I always have trouble finding ones that fit, due to my wide dancer feet. So when I found these, I knew that I just had to purchase them or I would never find another pair. Once I bought them, I basically lived in them for the rest of the trip. Like I said, so versatile! The color allows them to go with pretty much anything and I love how strappy they are. They are casual enough for everyday wear, but if I wanted to wear them with a nicer dress, I would feel totally comfortable wearing them out.



The shorts were found at a thrift store in Paris where everything was priced by the kilo. I was so excited when I found them, even though they are H&M brand. Even so, finding a good pair of high waisted shorts with a fun print is always a triumph! Finding them is Paris? Even better! I can't wait to experiment with these and find different things with which to pair them. They're a little bold, but it'll be a challenge, which is always a good time.





I think I'm a shopaholic. Sure I enjoy shopping in the States, but abroad? It's even more fun! Like I said, it's such a great way to discover pop culture. When it comes to French fashion, it's not extremely different from American fashion, but it's clear that we influence each other. So many Americans think that the French are the queens of fashion, but the truth is that we inspire them in so many ways. It's a cool game of give and take. We affect each other and beautiful clothing comes from it, along with a broad range of personal style and what "fashion" actually means. I think it's so great that I can wear pieces that I bought here and pieces that I bought there and combine them for awesome outfits. I have found some of my favorite closet staples in other countries. Do you have any unique pieces that you bought abroad?

Blogtember Day 4: Afraid

Ok confession time. I passed out on the couch last night before I got a chance to write my post for Blogtember. I'll make up Day 3 tomorrow, since we get Saturdays and Sundays off, and I'll continue with Day 4 today, since that's what I'm supposed to be writing anyways.

Day 4 Prompt: A story about a time you were very afraid.

This one is hard because in my young adult life, the only times I really get truly scared are when I think I'm going to throw up. It's my biggest phobia. Other times that hit me for being really afraid happened when I was a little kid. There are a couple of travel stories that I can think of, though, where I was frightened at the time. Nothing earth-shattering, but here goes.



This particular story happened when I was studying abroad in Belgium a couple of years ago. I was on my way to visit another American friend, and to get to her host family's house, I needed to take both a train and a bus. The train ride went smoothly, and I arrived in this big city called Liège (that's the train station above). I was pretty familiar with it, so I didn't have any worries going by myself. I had done it plenty of times before. However, I had never taken this particular bus. Well, for some reason, I didn't have money for the bus and had to withdraw money from the ATM in the train station, which was nothing new for me. This particular night, though, the ATM was conveniently out of order. It was probably 8:00 pm, which means all the shops were closed and the bus kiosk in the station was also closed for the night. I realized that I had no way to withdraw money, nobody with me, and nowhere to go. I'm also pretty sure that my cell phone was dying... I was pretty much stranded and freaking out. I even asked where another ATM was, but when I got there and tried to withdraw money, it didn't work. Finally I went up to the ticket window for the trains, shaking and scared, my voice trembling, and trying to withhold tears, explained to the ticket man what was happening. Although he wasn't very empathetic, he did make a transaction for me where he was able to do a sort of cash-back situation and gave me a 20 euro bill. I was more grateful than you could imagine. Eventually I did make it on the bus (where there was a guy bleeding out his eye) and managed to get to my friend's house in one piece.

There were a few other situations where I had gotten on wrong trains and ended up in the middle of nowhere or forgotten my train ticket at home and had to hide out in the bathroom... I even have other stranded stories. The only other instance where I can remember being truly frightened was on New Year's Eve when I was in Belgium and one of my friend's got so drunk that completely passed out and we couldn't get her to come to for a long time. I remember seeing people smacking her, dunking her in water, and her just being limp. I'm not a heavy drinker, so I'm not used to seeing these things, and I was truly terrified. In the end, she was perfectly fine and didn't feel a thing the next morning. Meanwhile I was traumatized.

There may be something else in my past that was scarier than these things that I have mentioned, but like I said, nothing earth-shattering. My life has never been threatened, I've never witnessed a crime, and I've never been injured so badly that I questioned if I would live through it. Trust me, I am grateful that I've never been through those things and that the scariest my life gets is being stuck in a train station! God has been good to me.

What are your real-life scary stories?

Blogtember Day 2: Three Months Off

It's Day 2 of Blogtember! I'm totally all about this challenge. If you don't what I'm talking about, take a peak over at Story of My Life and Jenni can explain.

Day 2 Prompt: If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?





I had a rough time answering this one because there are a million things I would want to do! I think the top one on my list, though, would be to travel across Europe and spend the time studying dance and acting techniques from the masters. I have always wanted to take intensive courses all over the world, but of course time and money get in the way constantly, as with most things. If they were no option, then I think that is what I would want to do most. Of course, I would also take those opportunities to live luxuriously and eat decadently. And shop. Lots and lots of vintage shopping. I mean, I would be in Europe after all! It would be sinful not to take advantage of all that. If money is no option, then I would have no excuse not to take advantage of everything I could.





I would spend my days dancing, learning, and knocking elbows with some amazing people in the business. Networking! My afternoons would be spent in museums, parks, local shops and wandering through the villages and cities of Europe while photographing it all. I would spend my evenings in dark and cozy restaurants, maybe a piano bar here and there, and occasionally going out to a club or concert. It would be wonderful. I would be doing what I love in beautiful places and enjoying every moment of it. I would be free.



What about you? What would you do?

*All photos are of me, taken in Italy during my study abroad year*

Loving Study Abroad

Today is Labor Day, yes, but it is also something much more special than that. Today, we sent my sister off to Ireland for her study abroad program! Since I completed mine a little over two years ago (whaaaaat?!) I have been pretty obsessed with getting the word out there and promoting foreign exchange and study abroad programs (by the way, the photos in this post are from my year abroad). I really think that going to a new country to live, learn, and enjoy a new culture is something from which we can all benefit. It is such an eye opening experience and shows you how much there is out there if you just look past your own backyard. The benefits are endless. Obviously, there is the fact of traveling to some place new and seeing all of the beautiful things that the rest of the world has to offer. Of course, there is the chance to hear a new language and participate in a different culture.





But then if you scratch below the surface, there is more. There is a chance to not only see other cultures in action, but to learn them. To learn that language and speak it every day. To eat the local food every day as if it was your daily college Ramen noodles. To make friends and spend time with those people every day as if they were your family. That is where the true magic lies. Pretty soon, you develop not only an appreciation for this new life that you have discovered, but you find a new appreciation for the one you put on the shelf for a while. You begin to realize why your culture is the way it is and why this different way of life works, too. It is an amazing feeling.



As a study abroad student, you immerse yourself. You learn all of the nooks and crannies of your town because you desire nothing more than to be a local. You go to every bar so you can choose your favorite. You get to know the people that work at the sandwich shop down the street. You open a bank account. You have a bus pass. You're not just visiting, you're building a life. And believe it or not, you're making connections that will last a lifetime. You still get to do all those great touristy things, too! Except you get to do them more than once, and you become an expert. Pretty soon, you're the one guiding the tourists!





What may be the coolest thing about it, though, is what you learn about the human race. The fact is that there will be a language barrier at firs, but you'll soon find that it doesn't matter. The humanity in people overrides it and you find yourself laughing with someone and you don't even know why. You have conversation half in broken English, half in broken French, but somehow, you communicate. You pull out every charade, every sound, every strategy you can think of to talk to someone. In the end, it pays off. You have a family, a group of friends, a best friend. Those are the things you never forget.





It's so much more than croissants and pizza. It's so much more than towers and bridges. It's so much more than mountains and beaches. It's experiences and relationships. It's learning about other people and learning about yourself. It's about taking advantage of every opportunity and living life to the fullest. It's about using your mind and your skills to their full potential. It's about becoming the biggest, best version of you.



I'm so proud of my little sister. I hope she has the best time over there and comes home with a suitcase full of memories and stories to share.

If you are interested in following along on her adventure, she has a blog too: USA to UCD. Check it out!