A Guide to Dubrovnik

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Dubrovnik is best known by some as the Pearl of the Adriatic, and best known by others as King's Landing. This southern Croatian city sits on the cliffs of the Adriatic Sea in the region of Dalmatia. And while the city holds much to explore and many fascinating locals to meet, it is perhaps most famous for its medieval Old Town. This area is encircled with massive stone walls dating back to the 16th century. The streets are paved with ancient limestone and are lined with shops offering handmade crafts and restaurants serving up fresh seafood.

You can comfortably spend a weekend in Dubrovnik (as I did), but you could easily spend a week or two here as well if you're in the mood to relax on beaches, take a few sunset sails, and relax before venturing off to see more of Croatia - Zagreb and Split are beautiful destinations to check out next.

Croatia has a rich and resilient history, as they declared their independence from Yugoslavia in the '90s. Because of this, the country is still rebuilding, but quickly becoming one of the most popular travel destinations.

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What's In My Getaway Bag?

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Last weekend, I realized I am finally at the point in my life where I can travel more when I came across a $120 roundtrip flight out west to the Grand Canyon. I very nearly booked a flight that left an hour later. Weekend flights to anywhere across the U.S. can actually be affordably cheap (thanks skyscanner.com). The possibility of spending every weekend exploring to new cities invigorated my wanderlust.

I decided to pack what I call my Getaway Bag, or as some people call a Go Bag. Essentially, the Getaway Bag is a suitcase that is kept packed and ready to go for any spontaneous weekend trips. Not only am I prepared if I need to hop on a flight in less than an hour, but my adventurous spirit is revitalized and empowered, because I know that I could quickly and easily be somewhere new. I believe that half the adventure in traveling can be the spontaneous nature of trips.

I urge all avid travelers to keep a Getaway Bag. Because you never know when you'll find the perfect deal or time to go on an adventure.

Here, I'm breaking down my essentials for a weekend getaway bag to keep packed in a corner for when adventure calls.

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Trendy Chicago Eats: August Recap

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This month unfortunately featured a lack of rooftop brunches, but have no fear - it was made up for by a healthy variety in happy hours and #views.

That's right Chicago, we're back at it again with the trendy eats. This month's favorite finds?

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Getting Ready with Airtime!

airtime

Hey y'all! Who else is already counting down to the weekend? I know I am, so today I'm teaming up with Airtime to share the perfect way to connect with your friends and get ready for a night on the town! I'm sharing my Getting Ready for Girls Night Out playlist to get your night started right.

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Trendy Chicago Eats: July Recap

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Back at it again with some trendy eats, Chicago!

A bit of a smaller list this month because I was busy hitting up the street food options at Lollapalooza, but here are some of my new favorite spots for drinks and all the noms your heart desires.

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How to Make Your Own Flower Crown

boho

It's summer, which means that music festival season is in full swing. Not wanting to drop a lot of money on a flower crown to wear to Lollapalooza this weekend, I decided to DIY the trend. I can't stress enough how easy, fun, and rewarding it is to make a flower crown! It took me about twenty minutes and $15 to make, not to mention that it made my house smell like a garden.

So whether you're heading to a music festival, or your DIY-ing your wedding, or you just want to feel like a fairy for a day, I'm breaking down how to make a flower crown!

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Roundup: Best Travel Apps

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Traveling in the digital age of smart phones and the Internet has never been easier. Excursions, flights and hotel bookings, languages... all at the touch of our fingertips.

There is, of course, something to be said for not relying on technology when traveling. It can be good to disconnect for a bit. Sometimes we get so caught up in sharing a moment with everyone that we forget to experience it ourselves while we live it. Don't be so glued to taking pictures while you travel that you forget to take something in with your mind and soul as well.

Still, that doesn't mean that technology can't be a blessing when traveling. Mobile apps have made booking and enjoying vacations that much simpler by condensing our resources into one spot.

Here's a roundup of some of the best apps for traveling. Any travel need you have - there's an app for that!

Trendy Chicago Eats: June Recap

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Exciting life update! I recently moved to CHICAGO! Following graduation, I headed off to the Windy City for my new job with a wonderful advertising agency. As excited as I am about my new job, I am even more excited to explore the city. I've always seen myself as a big city sort of gal, and am so thrilled to be able to try everything Chicago has to offer.

In light of this, I'll be starting a new monthly series on the blog as I explore some of the wonderful cuisine of the city. I'm no professional foodie by any means, but wanted a way to track some of the fun, delicious, and trendy places I come across. So at the end of each month I will recap finds as I eat my way through Chicago.

On that note, here are some of my favorite finds from my first month in the city!

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Tips to Feel Like a Local Wherever You Go

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Don't be a tourist.

While tourism isn't necessarily a bad thing, those who have little respect for local customs or simply see the sights without delving into the culture can be. Don't be a tourist. Instead, be a traveler. Welcome the opportunity to experience a new culture and meet new people with open arms. Understand their traditions and respect their customs. And importantly, live there. Whether you are there for a day, a week, or a month, try to experience each destination not just from a foreigner's perspective, but from a local's. Having this attitude can lead to a rewarding and unexpected journey.

Some tips for feeling like a local anywhere you travel -

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Girl Meets Ireland

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Ha'Penny Bridge

Upon graduating college, I found myself in possession of a month with nothing to do and a desire to do something a little crazy before becoming a 'real adult'. I had originally planned to move to Chicago directly following graduation, but with a month delay before I could start work, it felt like the universe was giving me a chance to go on an adventure.

So like any rational person, I found a cheap flight, a couple of girl friends, and booked a trip to Ireland.

The emerald isle. This was a land I had dreamed of seeing since I was a little girl. The lush rolling greens of the moor, dotted with sheep and cattle and Celtic castles. The pubs full of dancing Irishmen, with their rough brogues cheering whiskey while clapping along to the fiddle that played traditional drinking songs. The beastly cliffs towering over the Atlantic, both wielding a significant beauty and danger in their presence. This was a land of magic.

Our week in Ireland, though short, held more adventures than I could have imagined, and I can't wait to soon return to the isle of whiskey and love to make more memories.

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An Open Letter to My Sorority Upon My Graduation

College

This week were senior celebrations at the Beta Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta. Being one of the many to enter alumna status this coming April 30, I was honored to feel the love from my chapter around me. As part of the celebrations, the seniors were prompted to write a speech about their experience and what Gamma Phi meant to them. I wrote the following letter to my sorority, and I wanted to share it here in case any girl four years behind me will be going into college this fall and is contemplating whether or not a sorority is for them. Know that the experience is a really fulfilling one that surrounds you with amazing people. Know that sometimes first impressions aren't the ones you're looking for, but also know to never give up hope, because even when you least expect it you might stumble into just what you were looking to find.


A Guide to Sorrento, Italy

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Sorrento is a charming Italian coastal resort town overlooking the Bay of Naples. Hailed as the land of mermaids and lemons, this popular tourist destination is a perfect escape from the bustle of Roman city life. The sloped hills looking out over azure waters, with Mt. Vesuvius outlining the horizon, offers a vacation with plenty to see and do - or even not do, for those looking to simply relax.

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How to Budget Weekend Travel While Studying Abroad

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A huge reason I wanted to study abroad in Italy was its close vicinity to so many other countries. Being able to experience as much of Europe as I could in the time I was there was a personal priority for me. While a lot can be said for spending time in one city and really getting to know it, its rewarding to see as many new places as possible as well. With Rome as a home base, I hopped from Prague to Dubrovnik to other cities across Italy.

The first step to travelling during your program is to consciously budget for it both before and during your time abroad. If you know that you're going to want to visit other cities or countries on the weekend, know that it's going to cost more. So while you're saving money leading up to your trip, take this into consideration.

Additionally, try to limit your spending in your host city as much as possible until the end of the trip. If you have things you want to buy, but are wary they might cut into your travel budget, hold off on buying them until the end of your stay so that you know how much you have left, and that spending isn't going to negatively affect your travel budget.

Travelling in a group will also help make your travel cheaper. Split not only accommodations, but also groceries, transportation, etc. Also, use public transportation when travelling. Learn the bus or the subway systems and avoid travelling by taxis to save a bit of extra money.

Here's some additional tips for budgeting side trips while you're studying abroad:

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Girl Meets Dallas

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I welcomed in the new year in Dallas, Texas - my first time in the Lone Star State, I was pleasantly surprised by this poised and chic city. Although we were visiting to go to the Cotton Bowl (because what would Texas be without football? Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose, y'all), we had some time to explore the wonderful shops, eats, and sights that Dallas has to offer. 

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5 Resolutions for Taking Care in 2016

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2016.  Page 1 of 365.  Your life is a story, this year a chapter - make sure you write a good one.

You've heard it all before.  Of course, there is a sort of calm sense of relief in having a blank page, the chance for a fresh start.  A chance to leave behind any negativity from the past year, and 365 new chances to wake up and potentially have the best day of your life.  But there is also the overshadowing pressure that comes along each New Year's to make a list of resolutions, often unrealistic.  We find motivation for a day or so before those goals begin to fade away. 

The idea of setting resolutions for myself this year seemed futile at first.  I shrugged off the idea, thinking that last year ended well, so I would just hope for that pattern to continue into the new year.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that resolutions don't have to be these grand life-changing goals.  You don't have to go gluten-free over night, or go from Netflix afficionado to triathlete in a day.  Rather, the beauty of resolutions are finding the little things that you can do now and that will gradually impact your life for the better.  It's about finding the little ways to better take care of yourself, your relationships, and your lifestyle.  Take away the pressure of resolutions, and suddenly there's a lot of beauty and wisdom in setting them.  Because taking care of yourself throughout the new year is the key to setting yourself up for a good chapter in your story.  The rest will write itself.

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