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!

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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

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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

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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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A Guide To Prague

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Prague. The city of a thousand spires. Of a thousand dreams. Bohemian paradise. The jewel in the crown of Central Europe.

To say that my adventures getting to Prague were a nightmare would be an understatement. After our flight departing from Rome switched airports without alerting us, we raced from Roma Fiumicino to Roma Ciampino via cab, praying to get there on time. It was 6:00, and our flight was to leave at 7:10. Things looked optimistic until we drove into a traffic jam that can best be described as one of Dante's levels of hell. I had resigned myself to accepting that we wouldn't make our flight and would have to catch one the next day - which was of course disappointing considering we only had a weekend holiday.

We arrived to the airport at 7:00. By some miracle, we raced through security with the help of a guard who, after rolling his eyes at us Americans, let us cut through line. We arrived to the gate by 7:05 and were, by some miracle, the last ones on the plane. I actually think I cried a little out of joy when I got to my seat. Of course, that joy only lasted until I had realized that I was seated in the middle of an obnoxiously drunk bachelor party - but hey, beggars can't be choosers.

Prague better be the best damn city in the world, I thought.

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How to Pack Your Carry-On Bag

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I have a love-hate relationship with packing. Love - because it usually means I'm going somewhere exciting and there are adventures to be had. Hate - because it's tedious and I usually just end up shoving everything I own into one bag and having to sit on it to get it to zip. That being said, it always pays to have an idea ahead of time of what you want to pack. Your carry-on bag for example - make sure it's filled with in-flight necessities, entertainment, and a few extras for whatever life has to throw at you.

How do I pack my carry-on bag? Here's my ideal packing list for keeping what you need with you.

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Advice from a College Senior

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As the first half of my senior year comes to a close, I've found myself reflecting quite a bit on my college experience.  I can't deny that there is a panic that's setting in. With only one semester standing between me and the rest of my life, I find myself holding on to what's familiar. There's a part of me that's ready to graduate, of course. I know that no matter what I choose to go on to next will be a crazy and wonderful adventure.  But there's a part of me that is admittedly so sad to graduate. I love being a university student.  I love the people I've met, I love the classes I take, I love being a part of this incredible community. I don't want to leave it behind.


I've heard a lot of people say that college are the best years of your life.  I don't want to fully accept this as a mantra, because I think there's still some really great years to come. But college has been a whirlwind if nothing else.  There have been a lot of incredible highs, and with those have come some lows. And as the end nears, I find myself looking back at what I would change. What I would do differently. What it all meant.

Though it was a roller coaster, I don't know if I could say I'd change any of it. I do think that certain things happen for a reason, even if that reason is simply to teach you a lesson, or help you understand yourself better over time.  But even if  I wouldn't change anything, there are things I've learned - inside the classroom and out - that I would pass on to my younger self.

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How to Rock Your Internship

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Internships are one of the most vital and important experiences as a college student when it comes to getting ready to enter 'the real world'. There is so much more to being an intern than filing papers or getting coffee - internships give you a taste of a career, of an industry. They offer you the chance to reflect on what you want in a job, and a sense of what to expect when looking for one. And ultimately, internships give you the one thing a classroom can't - experience. Working hands-on in an industry will teach you more about what jobs entail, and teach you life skills that you'll need for any career.
I spent two (and a half) summers interning for the same digital agency in their marketing and innovations team, and I've been at the same university paper as a reporting intern for three years now. I owe so much to these jobs - they've taught me how to survive in an environment that isn't a classroom, they've taught me valuable work skills, and they gave me a more educated opinion of what I want to do with my life.

Here are some of the tips that I've picked up over the years on how to rock your internship.

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Roman Holiday

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They say that Rome wasn't built in a day, and let's be honest - it'd be impossible to experience it in only one too. There is so much to experience in the Eternal City that one could spend a lifetime there and find something new every day. I spent two months living there this past summer and didn't get to see all that I had hoped. But that's the beauty of it. The city sprawls. Dusty streets wind around the seven hills. The bustle of modern city is interrupted when you wind the corner and stumble across a building as old as an empire. The city is ageless and remarkable.

The first time I visited in Rome, I spent only two days there. But I was so captivated I returned years later to spend two months. There's magic in the city. Italian culture thrives at it's heart, and it's a melting pot of history. Everywhere you turn there's the Renaissance, the Roman Empire, and simply Rome today. Which is why I believe it deserves to be on everyone's travel itinerary. The city is a step back in time.

However, if one is not fortunate enough to drop everything and move to Italy for two months as I so gratefully was, I've narrowed down the most important landmarks to experience when visiting the Eternal City.

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