Little Comforts. Lots of Love.

My day brightened the other day when I got this care package in the mail from my mom! 

Tampons, Multi-vitamins, Conditioner, Chocolate, Tea, Snacks, Warm and Fuzzy socks, and so much more. Even a childhood photo. Thanks so much, mom, it really means a lot to me. I miss you guys so much! 

I also had a great Skype chat with one of my best friends tonight! I don't have a lot of good friends, but the ones who are really there for me are some of the greatest people I know. Being so far away makes me realize how important those relationships are and how lucky I am to have them. Being away is great, but also really difficult. I spend a lot of time by myself and find that I'm really protective of myself & on the defensive when meeting new people (especially with men and couchsurfing) so it's nice to talk to/see people who I can feel completely at ease with. I love you guys. 

I'm headed to Bologna and Ferrara for the weekend. The weather forecast shows rain all weekend, and it seems the Bologna vs. Inter Milan football game I wanted to go to is sold out, but that's alright. I like the rain, and maybe I'll catch the game in a cafe somewhere :) 

Lots of Love to some very special people. You guys are probably the only ones reading this anyways! I just hope you know how much you mean to me.... I don't know where I would be without you.

Amore, Abbracci e Baci

A little goodnight song:

The Eternal City

Welcome to Rome. 

2 Short days in this magical city, I saw so much and nothing at the same time! Here is a little bit of my trip, I'm planning on going back in November & stopping in Vatican City.  

The top of the dome at The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs. They have a great tribute to Galileo. Not a big astronomy buff, but this was my favorite church by far. 

The Colosseum & Imperial Rome. We all know about the colosseum and what sorts of things happened here, but to really wrap your head around all of that. Crazy. 

The Pantheon, originally built in 27BC, is one of the best preserved of all Roman buildings. Yes, that is a huge "sun roof". The weather was great while I was in Rome, very sunny, felt like summer during the day. Would be pretty awesome to be here when it's raining to see all the water come inside. 

Ruins of the Roman Forum. The most celebrated meeting place of the world. 

This church was amazing, so many hanging chandeliers. Reminded me of something out of the masquerade scene in Labyrinth. 

Some sort of processional. I'm not exactly sure for what, but nice to watch. 

!!! I found a little grocery store that stocks international foods. No Sriracha, but I did find some "fine chilie sauce" which I definitely bought. 

To be old and in love. 

A wonderful view from Villa Borghese. 

The Spanish Steps 

A beautiful horse. And a pretty little girl, too!

“While stands the Colosseum Rome shall stand; 

When falls the Colosseum, Rome shall fall; 

And when Rome falls - the World.”

 - Lord Byron

Astonishing.

Thanks, Rome. 

Food, Family, Frocks & Festivities

Nothing describes the Dolce & Gabbana "Italian Family" campaign better.

When I was in Milano last week I walked off the train and was greeted with HUGE images of this gorgeous "Italian Family" shot by Giampaolo Sgura for Dolce & Gabbana. Featuring models Bianca Bali, Simone Nobili, and my new girl woman crush, actress Monica Bellucci. 

I had these images stuck in my head for days, I couldn't help but share - aren't they great!? And if you were wondering who Monica Bellucci is - she's the amazingly gorgeous "mother" in the black lace dress in the photo below. Mamma Mia!