Tuesday, September 30, 2014

24 HOURS

 photo fd7b69af-3351-47ae-80a3-70882156273c.jpg
 photo d9b9d76e-44d8-4195-a12c-9674348fbe61.jpg
When I tell people I spent 24 hours in Amsterdam I get the side eye. With all the trouble you can get into in this picturesque city people assume when you only go for 24 hours you are up to no good. Well let me tell you, this might have been the most PG trip I've been on. I don't even think I got tipsy while I was there. Ha! 
 photo aac0b24b-8670-4a0e-bbef-83fc517b6ad0.jpg
 photo 2617f46c-99f5-45b8-a7b6-6a3b9f0bf265.jpg
I attempted to ride bikes (whoever said you never forget LIED). I went to the floating flower market. I ate INDONESIAN FOOD. I sat at a cafe and style watched (love their fashion sense). I took pictures and I might have taken a stroll through the Red Light District to see what the hype was about. 
 photo 8b5099ab-03c9-44d1-b48b-3e04e7520c0b.jpg
 photo fe0fb7ee-8413-4271-949e-1ed36c0bb4fe.jpg

I mean how much trouble can you get into when your're wearing a J. Crew pineapple short set ;) 

**Simply Chic Travel Tip: Amsterdam**
This city is beautiful, so beautiful that I will share some of my photos and travel tips later this week (schedule permitting). Even though the city is small, you definitely need more than 24 hours. Dam Square is a good central location, but it's packed and touristy so avoid it if that's not your thing. I personally and highly recommend the SWISSOTEL. And if it's not being used, ask for the wheelchair accessible room for extra space ;) But even the regular size rooms are spacious compared to others in the city.

WEARING:  J. CREW PINEAPPLE SWEATER, SHORTS and necklace (SIMILAR), xoxo leopard sneakers (SIMILAR)

let's get social
 photo 6ee01289-6c46-40a4-913e-0ad85c8d4a20_zps3735f14e.jpg



Monday, September 22, 2014

LONDON FALL

 photo cd968844-9c76-4284-a292-abb9a7476891.jpg

London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down — I spent the bulk of my time on this trip in London living like a local because I have a friend who calls this great city home for the time being. I did get to play tourist a bit, and I have to say the London Bridge was my least favorite tourist attraction. And that's of all tourist attractions, not just in London. Ha! It pretty much looks like an overpass you wouldn't give a second thought to. But it does have one redeeming factor — you get great views of the Tower Bridge which is an absolute beauty! I mean, it's baby blue. How can it not be great? 
 photo tower_bridge_london.jpg
 photo e91ab58b-e9ab-4ed8-be02-81fbaf739a1a.jpg
On another note, HAPPY FALL! I love everything about this season; the colors, the weather, the fashion, everything! 
 photo 74b20f88-ca8a-4700-9f63-1470d4b74768.jpg
  photo simply_chic_london_style5.jpg
My trench coat, which was my right hand "accessory" on this trip, is a staple for fall, as are tights with dresses and skirts and of course boots and scarves.
 photo c106afc8-7301-4f53-8044-1be71c18fa6d.jpg
 photo 81791dff-c3bc-4352-9f20-6a4d8774d911.jpg

**Simply Chic Travel Tip: London**
I'm a natural planner. I am starting to go with the flow more, but in a big city like London, it's good to have a plan and map your days out. I also recommend an international data plan, because there were a few times Google Maps would have been very useful and free WIFI wasn't as abundant as it was last year when I was in Greece. 
  photo 673b2e9c-95fa-430d-aaf8-d2cdba21dd82.jpg 
Alas, I leave you with the London Bridge. What do you think?

let's get social
 photo 6ee01289-6c46-40a4-913e-0ad85c8d4a20_zps3735f14e.jpg

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

ARE YOU HAPPY TO BE IN PARIS?

I found myself in this lovely city for the second time, and as they say, "Paris is always a good idea". People talk so much crap about Paris and I don't know why. Haters. Rolling up on the Eiffel Tower, and the Louve and the Arc de Tripmphe will never get old to me. I told myself I won't go back because there is so much more of the world I want to see, but something tells me this won't be the last time I'll find myself in this city. 
 photo fd37d35c-959e-488b-9559-7d27601d31b4.jpg
 photo feb6417e-c0b8-4d78-abab-5875035e2eed.jpg
Two of the main reasons I wanted to go back to Paris this time are because I wanted to shoot it for the blog, and I wanted to see the Love Locks bridge which wasn't around when I went in 2007. So clearly it only made sense to do my blog shoot on the bridge. Enjoy the pics!
 photo IMG_6304ps.jpg
 photo 863c48e2-8ea4-44e0-9c58-81b8f5843579.jpg
 photo 54b77cb0-cd4e-4561-90a4-30b7f350e015.jpg
 photo IMG_6337ps.jpg
 photo IMG_6319ps.jpg
 photo IMG_6350ps.jpg
 photo IMG_6325ps.jpg
I bought this skirt for work,  but when I was trying on clothes and deciding what I wanted to pack, I knew I had to wear this in Paris. It could have been -10° or 100°, I was going to make this look work. It was so—dare I say—Parisian! Maybe not so much with the sneakers, but I'm no dummy. Comfy shoes are a must when travelling.
 photo IMG_6334ps.jpg

WEARING: gap sweater (SWEATER), ann taylor loft skirt (CUTE OPTION), scarf from dsw, xoxo leopard sneakers (SIMILAR), zara trench

**Simply Chic Travel Tip: Paris**
When you are at the Eiffel Tower, there are several vendors selling ice cream (the same kind I think). Get some. It's so delicious. Also, I did not go up the Eiffel Tower this time, but from what I hear you have to buy advance tickets now. If you can't go up, don't fret. The views of the city are better from the Arc de Triomphe. Just be prepared to walk up 284 stairs! It's worth every step. 
  
let's get social
 photo 6ee01289-6c46-40a4-913e-0ad85c8d4a20_zps3735f14e.jpg