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Natalie Rohman

12.12.2022

A Cozy Girl's Christmas Guide

I feel like my blog might be becoming a "TikTok made me buy it" advert, but honestly...that app has influenced me so much in these past couple of months so I would be lying if I said most if not all were inspired by creators who have shared some of these products. However, the more and more I hear some of my friends loving and using them I just had to see what the hype was all about—and for any of you last minute Christmas shoppers looking for some ideas for someone who loves to be cozy, indulges themself in self care, well, I've got some inspo for ya! 

Stanley IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler- Okay okay, don't tell my mother I bought another emotional support water bottle, but I must say I am just in love with this Stanley cup. I've seen the massive ones with the large grips and the straws but this one with the handle is just so...handy! I also love the sip straw for easy access and I can close it so it doesn't spill when I'm at the gym or honestly taking it anywhere. It has also motivated me to drink more water because it's just so easy to sip and go. I love the variety of different colors but this one is just a classic and goes with anything! 

Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner- My hair game in the winter is not on par with when I normally get it done in the spring/early summer so I was in need of some good repairing shampoo and conditioner. I've heard mixed reviews and advice on not using Olaplex every day, so I have used it sparingly and I have to say I've noticed a difference in shine and texture while using these. 

Sol de Janeiro Jet Set- If you wanna smell like a warm cookie then I recommend any or all of the Sol de Janeiro products. I am obsessed with the body spray and the Bum Bum cream and gel. They just leave me smelling so sweet and I wouldn't want it any other way. 

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil- Lathering up is normally my regime for winter, but less is more! I have been loving this marula oil out of the Drunk Elephant travel size kit and feel like it has been really hydrating my face without being overbearing as the weather changes. I will sometimes layer it with a light moisturizer but other than that this has been my go-to nightly hydrating ritual! 
Pacifica Undereye Vitamin C Spot Serum Mask- I always forget to take care of my undereyes and because it is so dark out in the morning and in the afternoon, my body is responding heavily to the season...so is my mood. So, I've been trying out Vitamin C serums and this mask is perfect for early mornings or even midday when I just need a quick refresh of my face. I also throw these in the fridge! 

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask- My lightweight moisturizer as of late has been this one! After I put on my serums, I will swipe a layer of this mask to absorb and lock in all of the hydration into my face. I love the subtle scent and I feel like my skin just wakes up all glowy and bouncy in the morning. 

OPI Nail Polish in You Don't Know Jacques!- Brown is the color of the season. I've been seeing brown nails to and fro so I just had to pick up a shade and try it for myself! I am loving the warm hue on my nails...I just wish I liked the look of acrylics, but my bank account thanks me for it. 

As we gear up towards the holiday, I've been grounding myself in self-care, relaxing, and soaking up the end of 2022 by giving myself peace. Doing things for myself has made me a better version of myself for others and taking care of me has been a top priority. Give yourself some grace this season and dedicate some time to focus on YOU. Or give the gift of self-love to someone else this holiday! 
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11.29.2022

Drunk on Skincare.

Alright, I confess. I am on the Drunk Elephant skincare train and I just had to try out The Littles Set to see for myself what the hype is all about. If you are not new here, you have probably been along the ride for my fluctuating skincare must-haves and regimes. I have never gotten into a routine that works for me when it comes to my dry/acne prone and sensitive skin.  

Now that I am just starting to use this, I can't say I can give a full in-depth and authentic review of the products and how they react with my skin but I will say none of them so far have irritated my skin or caused more breakouts, so—that's a win! But, I will give you my first impressions on each of the products! 

For the Day...
C-Firma Fresh Day Serum- I was never keen on serums. Especially in the mornings when I would want to have a clean and refreshed face. I found that some serums were too think or slimy. This serum, however, firms my face immediately after I apply it without leaving a sticky residue. I've also noticed my face just lifts up and I feel awake and refreshed! We'll see how it goes in the next couple of uses. It also comes with a part two in powder form and I have never mixed a powder and a serum, but I'm just going to trust the process! 


Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30- So, I will be honest. I only swiped this once and immediately regretted it because 1) it's winter and 2) it was sticky! I don't know about you, but I am never a fan of the gluey SPF film that's left after you goop up. Maybe I need to give this another go, but I haven't really felt like I need this step (although I know skincare specialists are tsk tsking at me right now because I know sun care is important!). 

For the Evening...

Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil- 
Another really hydrating serum that I also feel really helps with some of my appearing facial lines. I've never felt the need to have anti-aging products in my routine, but if it helps then I will give it a go. 

T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum- I feel very bougie using all of these serums and oils, I have to admit. I think what I love the most about this serum is that it helps relieve the look of pores on my skin. I also love that I can mix it with the facial oil and just make a skincare potion to restore my skin barrier overnight. I will say, the full-size product is very pricey...I wonder if there's a dupe...there's probably a dupe in all honesty. 

Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser- Okay to be honest, I haven't given this cleanser a go quite yet- I'm finishing up my CeraVe Foaming Cleanser :) 

Protini Polypeptide Cream- By far one of my favorite moisturizers I've ever used. My skin gets very dry during the cold months and I would resort to using Gold Bond to lather my entire face...which I soon realized was over hydrating my skin barrier and wouldn't solve my dry skin patches in the long run. This cream is light and gel-like. I've also felt like it's helped level my skin's texture and bumpiness in areas I've had scaring from acne. 

Have you tried Drunk Elephant products? Or have found dupes for any of these? 
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11.18.2022

A New Lens on Gratitude

I didn't know what to expect at this point in my life. At age 23, with a full-time job and a college degree. I think it's safe to say that nobody looks past college, let alone getting their first job out of college. I always pictured my life in solid milestones. With a solid structure and moments to look forward to—I was set in the zone. And the in between moments filled themselves out...birthdays, parties, extracurricular events, holidays and everything else. 

Now that I've been home for a hot minute, re-evaluating my personal goals and the path I want to look forward to—I have to admit, it all seems very daunting. I doom scroll through TikTok to see 20 somethings creating a life for themselves in a one-bedroom walkup apartment in the city, making luxe Trader Joes dinners, lathering themselves in expensive skincare, and spoofing up their neutral and lush memory foam beds. The lives 20 something year-olds yearn for is a lot similar to the freedom and independence I want without having to face it all alone...or face it all in fear that I might not be able to achieve the "dream life" I was envisioning for myself post grad. 

Getting caught up in the trap of comparison is a toxic and vicious cycle for me. It's hard not to shy away from others around you pursuing their dreams and their goals when you're absolutely confused about what's to come next. I'm sure they didn't have a plan. I'm sure they were just as intimidated by the idea. Who knows how much rent they pay. Who knows what they had to leave behind in order to achieve it. 
I definitely find myself getting lost in the weeds with wanting a specific type of lifestyle—I think it has to do with needing some form of "perfection" that I can't seem to find in my every day life at the moment. This "perfection" might also be masked by the idea of "normalcy". That maybe having too perfect of a life just isn't what I want. I've become too comfortable at home and this has ignited my internal rebellion against it all saying f*ck it let's just move out and do what we want already. 

And that's when I have to ground myself back in this idea of abundance. That all and everything I could hope for is out there for me. And all that I could ever need is already right in front of me. Seeing that my life is in abundance means having an appreciation of life in its fullness: joy, laughter, friends, family, health, shelter, food, strength, and everything else. Even for bad things—that mold and evolve me into who I am. 

Some chapters just aren't read aloud. 

---

Gratitude has a new meaning for me. Not just a simple appreciation for the things I have, but an acknowledgement that my current situation is temporary. My life is temporary. Nothing is permanent. My living situation is not permanent. My job is not permanent. It all could change. 


And with this new lens, comes a great overwhelm of maintaining and holding onto the joys I have in life. Not feeling responsible for any other person's happiness but my own. Rooting myself into the small things that make me feel whole. 

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11.08.2022

Some of my favorite things lately.

Some tried and true, some new! Ever since I started blogging years ago, I always enjoyed rounding up my favorite products, happenings, and experiences to share with all of you. And even just to look back upon to see what I was into at that certain time. 

My taste and style hasn't changed too much but I would say it's evolving nonetheless. TikTok has been a big influencer of that lately but some of it is just my own wonder for trying new things. A mish-mosh of beauty and lifestyle products—here's a snapshot of what I've been loving recently! 
Yves Saint Laurent Libre — I never thought I was really into floral scents, especially because I despise rose. However, warm and muskier perfumes are just my jam recently. This one has notes of lavender and orange blossom which aren't as poignant. I use this almost daily and I need to slow down a bit with it. My go-to scent at the moment and it won't disappoint. The perfect gift for her, too!  

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer — I have gone through as many BB creams and tinted moisturizers as I could think of and I was never really loving any of them. Since I don't wear makeup every day, and don't prefer the full coverage feel, I have always just wanted something light and natural. Nars has never let me down. This tinted moisturizer is the only foundation I ever reach for and it can't be beat in my book.

Eyebrow Things — My eyebrow journey has come a long way. I think one of the biggest game changers has been Tweezerman tweezers that I have been obsessed with. There are no other tweezers that are as sharp or as precise. I have also been setting my brows with the Benefit 24 Hr Brow Setter which I am pleased has not made my brows sticky but keep them in place all day long. 

Podcasts — I know so many people who rave over their podcasts, but I have never really had the time to invest into listening. The same with reading lately. But the latter is much easier than sitting down and opening pages, so I took to start listening to one that I find meaningful to my every day life (as opposed to all of the true crime or gossip banter out there)— Let's Talk About Mental Health. Jeremy Godwin goes through different mental health struggles or topics and I've been invested in his episodes when I walk on the treadmill. That and listening to my daily Leo Today horoscope of course. New perspectives, open ears, open mind. It's been a daily ritual.
Staedtler Pens — Even during college, these have been my beloved writing utensils. Especially for planning and organizing my week, I love a good colored pen. These are really fine tipped and I love all of the color options. 

Rifle Paper Co. Calendars— Every year for Christmas I ask for a calendar. And no matter what, it's usually one from Rifle. I love that they can be time tables and wall art at the same time. I even cut off the bottom of the calendar to keep the art rotating year round as I please! They're always so creative and I am always willing to spend a little extra on these because they're just so pretty to look at. 

Room & Pillow Mists — I always have some sort of room spray or pillow mist on hand. Maybe growing up and having them in the house influenced that or just wanting to always have a good smelling space. I was into essential oils for a little bit but their scent can be a bit too strong at times. I've been using this Hearth & Hand zest room spray and it brings the perfect citrus and freshness to my room. On days I don't burn candles, this is what I have been loving lately. 

That's a wrap for now! It's all about the little things that bring joy and I believe that enhancing your space and your routine make for a more wholesome way of living. No—you don't need a room spray or a new perfume, but sometimes investing in yourself and your favorite things make life a bit more joyful.
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11.01.2022

A Halloweekend in Lake Geneva

There's nothing I love more than a fall getaway up north. Especially if it means getting away from Halloweekend shenanigans. I'm sorry not sorry, but the holiday just isn't my jam. If there's anything I've learned from experiencing it through the years—I would much rather be snuggled up, watching Halloween movies, drinking a glass of wine. And so we did.


Ben and I made our way up north for a cozy cabin we found in Narrow Lake on Airbnb. With the colors still lasting, the smell of wet and burning leaves, and anticipating that lake view we obsess over—we knew we had to squeeze the last bit of fall this month before winter comes. 


Day 1

The cabin itself was quaint and newly renovated. I always envision wood—just lots and lots of wood. For optimal cozy fall vibes, there's nothing better than a log cabin. Perfect for two of us. 


We definitely wanted to cook while we were there and make the most of the fully stocked kitchen—we brought wine, steaks, and made french toast and coffee for breakfast. But Friday night, we opted to go downtown Lake Geneva to eat some wood fired pizza at Oakfire along with some beer and a deliciously warm hazelnut old fashioned which is the perfect warm cocktail for me!

Day 2

Saturday we had an easy morning and decided to walk the Lake Shore trail around the water. The trail lines the lake and mansions around the perimeter. 


With intricate pavings, disassembled boat docks, and stone bridges, we enjoyed the morning before heading to Barrique for a quick wine tasting and walk around downtown. 

After that we came back to the cabin for some R&R and to make BLTs for lunch. In the afternoon, upon request, was to go find some pumpkins or at least a farm to go and nit pick at the produce, oddly shaped gourds, but more than anything to bask in all of the fresh baked goods at Pearce's Farmstand. There was a really big corn maze too, but Ben and I were wimps and opted to head to the Boat House patio instead to watch the sunset over the lake before heading back to cook our steak dinner and watch How Harry Met Sally. 

I crave weekends like these all the time. But the reality is, we can't always pack up our things and escape when we want to. I cherish times like these and moments where everything just slows down. It's already the end of October and the holidays are creeping up on me. 

Finding time to be still and recharge is essential for me. Even without getaways like this, I make the time to let myself decompress—get away from the hustle and bustle. And what I've learned is that life up north ain't too scary... 

Wishing that everyone had a safe and spooky Halloween! 

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10.25.2022

Life Lately: Some October Happenings

These beautiful fall weeks have been holding out on us this month. With sunny skies, vibrant colors, and the smell of crunching leaves. I have been making the most of calmer days, cooler nights, and wanted to give you all an update on what I've been up to. 

Cooper Update...
Life at home has been somewhat slow—Cooper has been cuddling up on the couch, reading the daily news, barking at falling leaves, and eager for me to take him on his mid morning walk. He's 5 years old and still acting like a puppy yet he makes a great colleague. 
Fall Walks
Fall walks and hikes have been my go-to. Before the weather falls grim and cold, I want to make the most of the sunshine. This is probably my favorite time of year and I wish it lasted longer than a month. Ben and I have been taking advantage of our weekends to be outside as much as we can. This past weekend we hiked the falls and canyons of Starved Rock. 

Cozy Evenings
Like most this time of year, I've been embracing cozier evenings by starting the Game of Thrones series, lighting a Trader Joe's pumpkin vanilla candle, eating some chocolate truffles, painting my nails a pretty wine color, and snuggling up in my TJ Maxx woodland plush blanket. Pure bliss. 

Holiday Shopping
October is the month where I gather my lists of things I need to get people for the holidays. I've always been two months ahead of the game so I can allot for last minute gift shopping for people just in case. My sisters and I always go in on gift giving for each other—I think we all just get joy from the excitement and easily enough, we all just provide hints or our own wishlists so I can mark them off and focus on my parents' gifts a bit more. In recent years, I haven't been too keen on receiving gifts as I have giving them—it just makes me feel good and this year I want to be a bit more personal with the gifts I give. 

Giving Myself Grace
This month has been all about giving myself grace. Time. Pause. Patience. And allowing myself to just be. I get very caught up in plans, feeling a great sense of overwhelm about my goals and where I want to be. For example, my ongoing wellness journey. Waking up early has never been easy for me, and on days when my body tells me I want to sleep—I let it. Instead of kicking myself, ashamed about not making the most of my morning or getting a workout, I just need to let myself make it through the four "quarters" of my day. Knowing each quarter (morning, mid morning, afternoon, and evening) I can improve or do something else to make progress. 

As it gets colder and we move forward into winter...coming...I'm looking forward to the warmth the holiday season brings as people gather. I want to move forward in gratitude for peace, family, friends, and loved ones. And take on each day with a new and better mindset. 

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9.27.2022

My Fall Goals.

I write this on the first day of fall. And satisfyingly enough, the weather finally feels like it too. Crisp air, wet leaves, cozier evenings in--and the occasional scent of campfire or burning leaves. I love these months because things just start to settle down. 

Many tend to dread what comes after fall, but I see it as a time to reset. Pause and reflect. From the business and constant that summer brings, I'm looking forward to the release of fall. 

01. I am going apple picking this weekend with my boyfriend and as much as I prefer going pumpkin picking--which we will definitely be doing--I just couldn't help but plan a fall outing as soon as possible. I'm not even that big on apples, but just the act of going out to an orchard gives me all the fall feels. Last week I made an apple crisp, watched Twitches, and made apple cider mimosas...so I take that back. But what do you do with half a peck of apples? Make another apple crisp I suppose.  

02. Re-engaging with my creative habits has always been a motivational and inspirational challenge for me. But after traveling to Europe this summer, I came back with a fresher mindset--and it helped that I was transitioning into a more creative position at work, too. 

I find myself to be creative in other ways, like my constant love of rearranging or decorating my room...I don't think I can resist myself. Or the fact that there are new autumnal throws at TJ Maxx that I just simply cannot live without. 
03. Working on my mental health journey has been a constant. And with the sentiment of letting go during fall, in addition to my realization that it's okay to seek help when you need it, I have contemplated going to therapy which I think would be a healthy step of gaining an unbiased perspective of the things that go on in this 'ol little brain of mine. Even as a routinely practice of just checking in and not feeling like I have to carry the brunt of my own thought bubbles.  

04. Speaking of health, this month I've learned to just listen to what my body needs. Not punishing myself for missing a gym day or a yoga class, but rewarding myself for getting my heart rate up, moving my body, or just knowing that I'm taking the necessary steps to feeling better in my body. Feeling more energized and making conscious decisions each day. That's all I can do. And to live a healthy and balanced life, I need to take care of myself the way I know best. 

05. Goal setting has been the theme of the month for me. Paired with confliction of taking next steps in my life and where I'm headed. Things got a little too comfortable a little too fast, and what traveling taught me this summer is that I don't want to be static. I want to be moving. I want to be progressing. I want to be growing. I want to be certain about the choices that I make.  

But that comes with giving myself grace and realizing just how far I've come. Being grateful for the things I DO have. And having trust in the process that things will work out as they're supposed to. Letting go. 

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9.18.2022

A Summer in Italy & Paris





























If you were to ask me eight months ago, "Hey Nat, what are your plans for the summer?" I would have told you that I was going on a dream trip to Italy and France. Now that the dream has came to fruition after returning home three weeks ago—which I am quite literally re-living in my head every day now—I can finally put together the post we've all been waiting for. For those who may not know and are just now stumbling upon my blog, my cousin Lindsay and I embarked on a two week trip to multiple parts of Italy: Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and Venice as well as Paris, France. 

After five months of rigorous planning, prepping, and booking, Lindsay and I were shocked when our main voyage rolled around the corner this August. I'm sure others have planned big trips in shorter amounts of time, but since it was just her and I going we had to make sure we could support ourselves and create our dream trip of a lifetime so we didn't miss a thing on our to-do and to-see lists. 

If you thought this would be a relaxing trip, think again! We had a jam packed itinerary (with some days for spontaneity, exploration, and a small amount of rest of course). It might be easy to assume that both Lindsay and I fell in love with Italy. And we sure did. 

- - - Rome - - -

I wish I would have watched The Lizzie McGuire Movie before I landed in one of the most ancient cities, the "cradle of Western civilization". Despite setting the mood with a DCOM classic movie, I didn't know what to expect in Rome—for what would be an incredible kick off to our Italian journey. 

Things We Did

Lindsay and I had many things listed on our itinerary, we knew that we needed to make and see the most of Rome in the two full days that we had there. The major sights to see on our list were the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain. 


Amidst our adventures throughout the city, we found it easiest to rent Lime scooters (sadly no Vespas for us) because we already knew how much walking and how hot it would be in Italy this time of year. We both shocked our legs, but thankfully one of us is used to mountain hiking to motivate the other...wink. 


Everything we saw amazed both of us. It was the first initial shock of the trip—we did it. We made it. 

I think the top highlight of Rome was definitely visiting the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. With murals you've seen pictures of on Google—in person it just took our breath away. Including Michelangelo's fresco, The Creation of Adam. 

Things We Ate

We knew for a fact that all we wanted was pasta, pizza, and wine. And did we have it. In addition to the occasional Aperol spritz, I think my favorite meal was spaghetti with a perfect, straight-line view of the Pantheon. Watching people in the square, sipping and nibbling on buffalo cheese and caprese, and deciding that "yep, this is the best dinner and a show I have ever been to". 


Most nights, if not all, Lindsay and I ate late dinners. Small breakfasts, pastries, and espressos in the morning on our walk to our first destination, a panini for lunch, and then a big pizza dinner around 9 or 10 o'clock. I can't forget to mention our mid-afternoon siestas...during the hottest parts of the day, we would head back to our place to recoup and nap before heading out on the town again! 


Things We Loved

One of my favorite moments was scootering around the Colosseum after touring the inside of it. We also were just awestruck by the amount of ruins blended into the modern architecture of different areas of the city. Every corner had a piece of history we wanted to know more about. The Roman Forum was also a great place to see and walk through ancient parts of Rome. 


Another memorable moment I had was eating a cannoli at the Trevi Fountain and just basking in the magic of that place. When in Roma! 

- - - Amalfi Coast: Sorrento, Capri, & Positano - - -

Things We Did

Ever since I began watching Nicki Positano of The Positano Diaries on YouTube during the pandemic, I have dreamed of visiting the Amalfi Coast. The southwestern cliffside coasts only reachable by ferry are vertical dream towns. Colorful buildings, a vibrant marina, seaside restaurants, many many stairs, and lovely local shopkeepers, artists, fishermen, and lots of tourists visiting at the end of August. 


Over the course of the next four days in Italy, Lindsay and I took a train from Rome down to Naples to catch our ferry to the coastal town, Sorrento. Where we would be staying on a lemon tree farm Air BnB with a lovely host who provided us with intricate breakfasts and recommendations for seeing other surrounding coastal towns and helping us book a boat tour to the island of Capri. The four days we spent in Sorrento, Capri, and Positano. 

Things We Ate

Lindsay and I were obsessed with the amount of deliciously fresh seafood. Not to mention endless aperol spritzes and lemon sodas our heart desired. Our favorite meal was in Sorrento in the Marina Grande, the restaurant was called Portamarina. It was so popular that we waited in line with a glass of wine along the dock. 


I had my first half lobster, with linguine pasta and of course white wine. We also had fresh bread, calamari, and Lindsay ordered swordfish which actually tasted like grilled steak. Topping the night off with homemade tiramisu before our nighttime trek up the cliffside. 


Another memorable thing we had to eat in Capri was homemade lemon sorbet in an actual frozen lemon. All about the lemons! After a sweaty day on a stunning chairlift on the island, it was the perfect treat. 

Things We Loved

By far one of Lindsay and I's favorite memories was planning a last minute boat trip to Capri on our second day. We weren't really sure the itinerary of places we wanted to be but our host at our Air BnB helped us book it off of Marina Grande. 


We were with a small group of about eight people and had Peronis and caprese sandwiches while we rocked out and basked in the glory of the incredibly blue waters of the island--seeing the caves (not going into them unfortunately due to high waters) and grottos, as well as, jumping into the ocean which was a top tier Mamma Mia moment. 

Another cherished moment I had was when we visited Positano on my 23rd birthday. That was the ultimate, non-negotiable plan. To be there on my birthday. And we made it!
 

It was just as I had seen in Nicki's vlogs and Lindsay and I had the most wonderful time exploring the beachside, eating seafood risotto, and swimming at a private beach. I also met Nicki's best friend, Elizabeth, who works for the Blue Star boat tours there. To top the birthday extravaganza off back in Sorrento, we went to this restaurant that was also a lemon tree farm and garden. It was truly magical. 

- - - Venice - - -

Both Lindsay and I had expectations of Venice: many canals, bridges, boats, ferries etc. But what we didn't expect was how calm the city was. There were no ulterior forms of transportation, obviously, and no busy roads or streets. Sometimes the nights became really eerie walking through the dark and ominous alleyways. It was almost a maze. And of course, you're on an island!

Things We Did

We planned an itinerary catered to experiencing a bit more of the local life. We booked this pasta cooking class and wine tasting--which was one of my favorite experiences because we met so many other (American) tourists who came from different walks of life, all sharing a day for one common goal. To make a meal. 


Our plan was also to embrace the calmness and Lindsay and I didn't feel the need as much to plan or visit so many sites. Although we made sure to take a gondola ride (not worth the money, but you have to do it once). Walked over the famous Rialto bridge, fish markets, scaled the lookout tower in St. Mark's square, and visited the glassmaking island of Murano. 

Things We Ate

Majority of Venice was eating a mixture of seafood and pasta dishes. However, one of the best meals we had twice was just from a small pizza joint across our alleyway that served delicious fire roasted pizzas--we'd grab a couple bottles of beer and take it up to our rooftop terrace and stare at the stars at night since Venice's light pollution is so low. 


Our cooking class was also a great Venetian meal--sea bream, handmade pasta by us, crisp arugula salad, fresh bruschetta, and melon with prosciutto--can't forget the homemade tiramisu! 

Things We Loved

All in all I think my favorite part about Venice in itself was just experiencing the city by boat. Whether it be waiting late to catch a ferry or taking our private taxi James Bond style back to the airport. You really get a feel for Venice by the main way to get around--boat! 


It was a floating city, filled with warm people who are proud to live there. Artists, chefs, fishermen, gondola captains, and even the man who poured my espresso every morning had a vibrant glow about them. Lindsay and I fell in love with Venice and what it stands for...or continues to floats for. 


- - - Paris - - -

Last but certainly not least--the place of Nat's 12 year-old dreams. Paris! After a much relaxing four days in Venice, we flew to the City of Lights for our final destination. 

Rather than a fully dedicated Italy trip, Lindsay and I wanted to fit one more country in (technically the Vatican is its own country).

Things We Did

Paris, as a busy city similar to Chicago, didn't intimidate me...and neither did its French people. Little Nat has always dreamed of seeing the Eiffel Tower-- and did we! Many times. Our hotel was about a 20 minute walk away and we saw it every single day.


Not to mention seeing the Louvre, Sainte Chappelle, Notre Dame, the Seine River, and touring the epic Versailles. Amidst it all--seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time was a breathtaking moment. 


And of course we had to drink champagne and eat macarons at the very top. 
Things We Ate
Between Lindsay trying snails for the first time, French onion soup, juicy steak and lamb, ratatouille (which just tastes like zucchini stew), ginormous flaky croissants, I would have to say the most memorable meal was eating a hot dog on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower. The last time I was in France, Cannes to be exact, I also had a hot dog the first day I arrived. And these hot dogs aren't just any hot dogs. 

They're in a full on baguette. 

Besides that, we made it a point to do a picnic lunch the Parisian way--a baguette, meat, cheese, and alcohol (we tried getting champagne or wine, but opted for seltzers since they were easier to carry). 

Things We Loved

What I loved the most about Paris was probably just basking in the glory of the Eiffel Tower honestly. It's hard to miss and there was always something new happening below it. 


Whether it be a street vendor, festival, birthday party, or engagement. There was so much life in Paris and it was like walking through a dream down every street. The people were pretty nice too. 

- - - A Trip to Remember - - -
As I sit in my basement, reminiscing about this trip and how it came to be, I wouldn't change a single thing about it. And as much as I wish I could recap all of it on this blog, some of those memories are just going to be kept by me. 

For anyone dreaming of a place. Dreaming of a trip. Dreaming of an adventure--persist. Keep at it. Make a plan. Stick to it. It will all be worth it. Until my next adventure awaits...

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