One for the Books: St. Patty’s Day

by Olivia

Being a red head on Saint Patrick’s Day sometimes isn’t the most fun. Although, dressing up head to toe in green and spending time in New York City makes for the best day.

The energy in the air on Saint Patrick’s Day is contagious. Let me tell you, the train ride is EXCITING. People are chanting and singing constantly throughout the ride. As I exited the train and people pilled up the stairs, I noticed a girl with a green Quinnipiac Unviersity sweatshirt on. I immediately felt the urge to yell, “I go to QU too” followed by an awkward wave. My odd action was out of impulse, but she happily waved back. I was so excited to see another QU student because Quinnipiac is a relativaly smaller school.

Once my friends and I left Penn Station, the journey began to find the parade we never found. This was typical. Since I was a junior in high school we have been going to the Saint Patrick’s Day parade, and not once have we watched the parade. In fact, I don’t think we have even heard the parade in the near distance. Much of the short trip to New York City was spent wandering, eating and laughing.

Once the shenanigans ended it was time to take the train home. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll see the parade next year..

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Honey, I’m Home

by Olivia

When you come home from college there are two things you want to see. One being loved ones and two being good food on your plate. You come home exhausted from the frozen, fried and foul food you’ve been indulging in while at school. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is better than biting into freshly made food. Going out to eat is the most extravagent of occasions for me these days and oh have I missed the food by the Jersey Shore. I’m all for a home cooked meal, but I treasure a moment to put on an outfit not consisting of leggings and a pullover (my college uniform) to go out for a bite to eat. Going out to eat  and catching up with friends makes coming home for spring break so much sweeter.

With just a week home, I knew I had to take the 20 minute drive to Stay Gold. The coziest beach cafe found in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The smell of freshly made coffee fills the space and immediately I feel at home. They have everything from coffee to freshly squeezed juices, from burgers to acai bowls.

Now on nearly any day of the year you can find me on the beach, but when it hits 30 degrees and the wind is taking me like a kite, I just can’t get myself to step onto the sand. Thursday, Rosie and I drove up the beach from Belmar to Point Pleasent. For a moment I forgot it was the middle of winter. Thankfully, the beauty and charm of a New Jersey beach is not seasonal.

In just two days spring break has ended and I head back to my other happy place, Quinnipiac University.   I have about seven weeks left of that delicious college food. The countdown to summer and good Jersey Shore food is on.

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A Day in SoHo

by Olivia

Well, we made it. If you have been following for some time, you may be aware that my last trip to NYC with a friend, I ended up in Queens (not the destination I was looking for). I am happy to say, Rose, Jess, Emily and I reached SoHo without any long detours to Queens. From Penn Station, we took the C subway downtown and got off at Spring Street. See! Now I know what I’m talking about, it only took some time.. You can read about my lost adventure in the city here.

This past Tuesday there were luckily no issues. Amen. Once reaching Soho, all of us were starving. We walked and talked looking at each corner for somewhere to stop in to eat. We finally came across a quaint, little Irish pub. Very un-Irish of me, I settled for a taco salad.

Being away from the comfort of my friends from growing up can be tough. Luckily, once returning to my hometown, it’s like we never parted ways. After sitting, eating, chatting and ranting we paid for our meals and were on our way. We strolled around Soho, going in and out of stores; following the cutest cobblestone pathways as our way of direction. Of course, we stopped to take pictures because duh what’s a trip to NYC without pictures. Reaching rush hour we decided to make our way home. We hopped on the subway, took the C subway Uptown, got off at Penn Station and took our train home. And there you have it, a successful trip to Soho, Manhatten. What a day..

Outfit Details:

Jacket: Lands’ End (similar)

Scarf: Old Navy

Sun Glasses: Ray-Ban

Hat: gifted

Bag: KateSpade (similar)

Boots: Nordstrom (similar)

Jeans: Hollister 

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It’s Summer Somewhere

by Olivia

I’m all for New Jersey’s snow, but right now I wouldn’t mind Punta Canta’s sand instead. I was scrolling through the images on my computer and came across all of our pictures from our Punta Canta trip. Immediately, I missed the sun and warmth.

My favorite excursion we took part in was to Saona Island. Saona Island is the closest thing to heaven (so I’d imagine). I’ve never seen such white sand, blue skies, and crystal clear water. The food I had on that island was some of the best, freshest food I’ve ever tasted. Getting to Saona Island was unforgettable. It’s not every day you take a speedboat and catamaran to your destination. During the trip to Saona Island, you cross from the Atlantic Ocean to the Carribean. I watched the water change from dark blue to nearly clear waters. Once reaching the clear water, we hopped off the boat and stood on the sandbar, diving down to starfish by our toes.

The most important part of any vacation for me is the food. I still remember being the fullest I’ve ever been in my life after overindulging in sushi, but what’s new? All inclusive trips are dangerous for me. I just eat, eat, eat. Anyone else?!

The trip to Punta Canta, Dominican Republic was an unforgettable one and snowy days like today, man do I miss it.

Where we stayed: Royalton Punta Cana Resort 

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Pop of Red

by Olivia

It’s been quite some time, but I am back! The chaos of getting ready for my freshman year of college has finally settled and now I am just shopping for some dorm necessities. I took some time out to travel to Asbury Park, New Jersey (about a half hour south of me) to take some pictures and enjoy good food. I’ve talked about Porta before on here but in case you missed it, it’s a trendy, Italian hotspot for shore loving New Jerseyans. Click here for my last post at Porta.

This time around I took some pictures with one of my best friends, headed to Porta for lunch and then indulged in delicious vegan ice cream at a shop called Cookman Creamery.

My outfit I wanted to keep really, really simple. I wanted the outfit to revolve around the bright red mules. You can get them here for only $21. I am obsessed with them because they’re not only super affordable but they make any simple outfit pop. I stuck with classic, silver accessories to match the metal around the pockets of my white skirt. My top is a simple, plunging, grey body suit and again, super affordable. Outfit details are below!

 

Grey Bodysuit: Boohoo (now $6)

White Skirt: Lucky Clover 

Necklaces: Gifted

Rings: Alex & Ani

Shoes: 2020Ave

 

 

 

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