Tag: Lifestyle

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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Apple of my Eye

by Olivia

In between all the chaos of applying to colleges there has to be moments of sweet serenity. A trip 10 minutes from home to a pumpkin patch and orchard can be just that calming vibe we all need sometimes. To some fall is the most exciting season of them all, leaves transform to vibrant colors as then they soon fade to shades of brown. The season of an almost otherworldly beauty, superior to all other seasons. It truly doesn’t get better than New Jersey fall weather. It was like a turn of a light switch, suddenly it went from summer to fall. I’m not one to complain, no more chemical smelling sunscreen and a not so cute glow of sunburn across my face.

Today was filled with only smiles and laughs, the best way to know you had a good day. I wish I highlighted the funniest moment in a video but unfortunately our camera’s were late to capturing the moment. My friend Jess flew back in one of those wagons you put pumpkins in, Jessie got a wet bum and attacked by apples when the wagon flipped. A moment we all exploded with immense laughter. Later on we all looked like we took part in a circus act trying to balance on pumpkins for just that perfect shot. Luckily no broken bones have been reported.

Drizzles of rain cut our trip short so we headed over to Delicious Orchards a little family owned farm and country food market to warm up with apple cider. A successful day.

P.S- I applied to college today! Time to play the waiting game…

What’s your favorite college memory?

The Subway Ride…

by Olivia

It’s finally fall and although many people are trying to hold onto summer as long as they can, I cannot wait for the crisp air to finally kick in. My weekend consisted of confusion, laughs and tears. It was definitely a memorable occasion. My friend and I traveled to New York City which is just a train ride away, once there we took the E subway to Spring Street, walked around and shopped. At around 5:15 we were planning on taking the C subway uptown to w. 72nd street but of course the C subway wasn’t working. So our plan of action changed and unfortunately what we thought would get us to w. 72nd street actually brought us to 68th street in Queens. With panic in our chests and confusion in our heads we quickly talked to our parents and they directed us uptown on the R subway to 34th Street (Times Square) there we took the red line to our final destination. It felt good to take a deep breath and get out of Queens.

We went on this mini trip to meet Amber Fillerup, one of the most popular bloggers on the internet. If you keep up with fashion & lifestyle blogs you’ve probably heard of her. She’s the most adorable, sweet blondie with the cutest family. Meeting her was so important for me, she inspired me to take the plunge in making a website.

Fortunately through out the entire trip laughter filled the air. I mean c’mon you can’t go to city and something not happen! Ambers meet and greet was held at the end of the pier right near Pier 1 Cafe. Pier 1 Cafe is the cutest outside restaurant located right next to the water. The skyline is directly in front and behind you, the food was definitely a 10 too! Overall the day was a success, through each hurdle we settled with laugher and the thought of kinda sorta almost being where we wanted to be. A day started and ended with laughter is a good day.

Amber Fillerup// http://www.barefootblonde.com

Pier 1 Cafe// http://piericafe.com 

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