First Anniversary

Time definitely flies by when you're having a good time. Only a year ago, I decided to start this blog, in a rush to write about everything and anything that came up to my mind. And now I'm celebrating its first anniversary. Crazy, huh?!

As you might have noticed, I took over a full week off blogging. As much as I love writing and seeing you read my posts, I needed some time off, to think about the blog, and come up with a new plan for the upcoming year.

Don't worry, I'm not taking the blog offline. I enjoy doing this so much, that I might die if I stop blogging. But I do have some new ideas I hope you will like.

Just as last year, this year will start with my birthday––because, yes, I turned 23 yesterday! But I will bring you more fashion, more travels, and more food. I might hopefully add some improved photography. Oh, and I have a huge surprise for you by the end of the summer.

So tune in tomorrow for new posts, and please come back often for updates. Don't forget to like my Facebook page, and follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Flickr and Instagram. Oh, and please, please, show me some Bloglovin' ! This would mean the world to me!

'Til tomorrow,

Learning Photography

I told you yesterday my beautiful sister had to do some photography project during the weekend. We went to one of the public libraries in the city, which is a truly beautiful place.

After we had brunch and came back home, we had the chance to look at the photos my baby sis had taken. Although she is a beginner, I actually like her photos. Don't you?

Love,

Photography: Maria C. Beltran

Weekends Are For Brunch

If there's someone to blame for making me such a foodie, it would totally be my mum––right after the food itself, at least! She enjoys food probably even more than I do, and she never loses the chance to go out and have a nice meal at a restaurant.

Yesterday, we went with my sister in the morning to one of the public libraries in the city, where she had to take some pictures for her photography class project. We finished around noon, and we were absolutely starving by then! So we decided to go for brunch. It was nothing fancy, as we chose the place based more on having food served quickly than anything else. But we still got to enjoy some good food.

I started with some tangerine juice, followed by some cheese. And then came the eggs––benedict, of course––with a delicious French chocolate.

Even if you don't go to a fancy place, or if you even cook it yourself at home––something I actually love sometimes better than going out––weekends are definitely made for brunch! Anyone wants to join me next time??

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Weekend Style: Tartan Coats

I recently found this super old, Burberry-inspired coat my mum gave me probably around a decade ago. For some reason, I still fit inside it, so I decided to wear it out. I chose to pair it with my brand new leather trousers––which I actually got for Christmas, but hadn't been brave enough to wear them yet––a white shirt, and a red cardigan. Heels seemed to be the right shoes because otherwise I would have looked three times shorter with all those layers over me and no extra height. To top up my outfit, I chose to wear some big, golden accessories, and my beautiful LV Alma bag!

Love,

Travel Diaries: Bye, Bye, New York!

Sadly, every time I go to New York, I feel I haven't spent enough time there. And this time was definitely not the exception. The moment I realised I had to fly back home, I cried. Why can't I stay there for the rest of my life?

Despite my trip being too short, I had an amazing time on my last day in the City. I finally had time to sleep, so I woke up around 9am, the latest I had been able to wake up in the whole week.

I then went to brunch with my lovely friend Ramya, in Brooklyn Diner, on 57 between 7th and 8th. I went for a classical set of pancakes with some Earl Grey tea, while she had three poached eggs with crispy polenta. The most important part, however, was definitely the time we spent together, talking about life and dreaming of New York!

I then left Ramya at the hotel and went for a walk on 5th Ave., only to end up meeting handsome Jakob––who I introduced yesterday––in Macy's. We bought some dresses for my mum, and a pair of boots for myself, before walking back to Saks Fifth Avenue to have some tea. Again, I enjoyed a wonderful time talking about life and getting to know better my Swedish friend.

Before having to grab my bags and head off to the airport, I still had some time to do some shopping. So I headed to Henri Bendel––which I love, as you might have noticed by now––and got a beautiful bracelet. I also stopped by Louis Vuitton to place a special order.

Now I'm back home, writing this post and dreaming of New York. But don't you worry, because I'll be back there before you can imagine! Am I the only one who loves New York from the bottom of my heart?!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Travel Diaries: Conference Days In New York

As I told you yesterday, last Monday was the last day I had a normal life during my stay in New York, except for probably Sunday. Starting on Tuesday, my life consisted of committee sessions, fundraising, organ meetings, wine lists––whatever that means––, security shifts at late hours of the night, never ending voices on walkie, starvation, and sleep deprivation.

But it was still definitely one of the best weeks of my life. And I loved it!

It all ended happily in the UN headquarters on Saturday. At that moment, I felt like I hadn't slept in a week –which was true, unless sleeping 3 hours a day counts as sleeping– and as if I had been standing for two days in a row –which was also partially true thanks to my late-night security shifts. But it still was worth it.

While waiting to be allowed to enter the UN building, I had the chance of taking some outfit photos of my fashionable Swedish friend Jakob, who happily posed!

Inside the UN, my beautiful cuddle-buddy Shirley received these wonderful flowers from her former Faculty Advisor, only because she is the best!

Then Heather––my Assistant Director––and I tried to invade the Commission on the Status of Women's meeting that was taking place that day. Unfortunately, we only were allowed to take pictures with the sign, but no invasion could be effectively done.

And then we went to a diner close by, where I had a chocolate milkshake to refill my energies. And sit down, finally!

Love,

Travel Diaries: New York, Day 3

Monday was the last day in New York before the conference –the whole purpose of my trip– started. We spent most of the day preparing for the conference, practicing the procedures, doing some teamwork, and being clever. It was a long and exciting day––which is why we had dead faces by dinner time!

It was also our last meal in the week. We went to an Italian restaurant in 47th Street, between 6th and 7th, where I ate a seafood salad and stole some of my friend's tortellini (which were so good)!

The day after this, the conference started and we had to forget about sunlight, any food that was not sandwiches or something you can grab to go from a deli, and sleep. But I'll talk more about that tomorrow!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Travel Diaries: New York, Day 2

My second day in New York was far better than I thought it would be. I got to spend most of the day with one of my friends, and we just walked around Central Park and went to the Upper West Side to get some of my favourite Levain cookies.

After that, we went to meet the rest of our team, and had our first full-team meeting, before going for dinner at one of my favourite restaurants in Midtown Manhattan: Topaz. It is a Thai restaurant, located in 56th Street between 6th and 7th. Fortunately, my wonderful friend Ramya and I shared our dishes, so instead of eating only one of my faves, I got two! We chose to share a pad thai with chicken and chicken red curry. They were both delicious and I ate so much I just almost die of happiness!!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio