Travel Inspiration

Here are a couple of pictures to help you catch the travel bug as well. I love the idea of a gorgeous trip across Europe by train. In fact, following graduation, that's what I'm planning on doing. Also, Vespas are cool (as are cute European boys who ride Vespas while impeccably dressed). 

Do y'all have any places that you would love to visit?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

All images can be accessed at my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/sophieschoice94/where-i-d-rather-be/

Also, a really great article in the Wall Street Journal called "An Argument for Flying in High Style" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324299104578529633835078580.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_6

Recent Instagrams

A quick post with some of my most recent Instagram pictures! I love Instagram-it's the main reason I bought my iPad mini. Picking the right filter, choosing which of the ten million pictures I took deserves to be shared, it's so much fun. 

Hope you're having a fun summer! 

Lots of Love,

Sophie

By the way, if you want, you can follow me on Instagram @sophieschoice94

Summer Fun in Houston

I live and go to school in Houston, Texas. I've lived here most of my life, and so when all the college brochures bragged about what a wonderful and exciting place it is to live, I had a bit of disbelief. After all, my friends and I could never find anything to do besides eat and shop. However, I recently discovered that that is not the case, you just have to do some digging. Here are some things I've found that are on my summer bucket list. You might not live in Houston, but check and see if your city has anything like these! All of the things listed are free or under $15 to do-you'd be surprised! A good place to start is by typing "Fun Things for 20-somethings to do in [your city]" and looking through what comes up. 

Free Museum days

In Houston, this is Thursday. Some museums are free all day, some only for certain time periods. Spend a day museum hopping. You'll get to sound cultural when you explain what you did with your day, and it's air conditioned. What could be better? Also, don't turn your nose up at your local children's museum (Confession: It's my favorite museum!). 

Swing Dancing

So much fun! Google places that have it. Here in Houston, The Chocolate Bar in Rice Village has swing dancing with a live band every Thursday night starting at 8pm. 

The Symphony

Now you may think this is boring and expensive. The secret? Student rush tickets. If you go 90 minutes before each show with your student ID, tickets are only $12. They also do a lot of fun concerts. You can hear your favorite classical pieces, or enjoy one of the pops concerts like The Rolling Stones.

The Ballet

Student rush tickets to the rescue! 90 minutes before the show, go with your student ID and tickets are only $10. That's the price of a movie, and the ballet is so much nicer. However, only certain shows have this option, so check their website. Right now they have Peter Pan on June 15th at 2pm marked as a rush ticket day. 

Free Movies

Miller Outdoor theater does this, as do a lot of libraries. Check the schedules. Miller is showing the Amazing Spiderman on July 3! (Note: Miller is awesome. All tickets are free, you can sit on the hill, and they do everything from Shakespeare in the Park to symphony concerts complete with fireworks and movie screenings.)

Line/Country Dance clubs

Yeehaw! My friends and I are planning to do this soon. Cover charges are about $8 for those under 21, and $3 if you're over. 

Baseball games

Did you know you can now bring your own snacks and drinks into Minute Maid park? And if you sit at the top, tickets are a mere $7! It makes the fact that the Astros can not actually win slightly more bearable. 

Discovery Green Park

This place is awesome. You can kayak in the lake, take yoga and writing classes, watch a movie, or have a picnic. See if your city has anything like this!

What cool things are there to do in your city?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

Music You Might Not Have Heard

I am a music snob, I'm just going to come out and admit it. While I have my mainstream guilty pleasures (Maroon 5, One Direction, and Taylor Swift), I am all about knowing the bands that no one has heard of. I can actually thank my Taylor Swift obsession for this, as she led me to Snow Patrol, whose related artists page took me farther and farther from the beaten track. Here's a few of my favorite gems:

Angels and Airwaves

Features people from a couple of different bands, including Blink-182. This is my go to "I'm angry and need rockish music" band. "Anxiety" is a personal favorite. 

Bronze Radio Return 

Absolute genius. Probably my favorite. Dance music. Please listen to them, love them, and tell me how much you love them. Also, beautiful cover art. 

Fun

Okay, so you've heard of them. A lot, actually. However, I challenge you to name a song that is not "We Are Young" "Some Nights" "Carry On" or "Just Give Me A Reason". Go and sample the rest of their music. I personally love "Barlights" and "Stitch Me Up."

The Icarus Account

Beautiful love songs with amazing lyrics and soft guitars.

The Lumineers

They are quickly becoming very popular with "Ho Hey", but have you checked out "Flapper Girl" or "Morning Song"?

The Milk Carton Kids

I've loved these guys for months now. I would kill to go to one of their concerts, but sadly, it seems you have to live in Colorado to hear any indie music.

Neon Trees

You might have heard "Everybody Talks", but for the sake of everything that is right in the world, check out "Mad Love" and "Sins of My Youth". Perfect dance music.

Owl City

You have heard Fireflies. You probably knew all the words. That song is not at all representative of Adam Young's work. Look at Hot Air Balloon and Dental Care.  (Also, for more obscurity points, check out Adam's other projects, like Sky Sailing, Insect Airport, Seagull Orchestra, and Windsor Airlift.)

She&Him

Did you know Zooey Deschanel sings? Now you do.

Snow Patrol

Fairly well know, so no obscurity points, but the perfect music for bubble baths and rainy days. 

Vampire Weekend

Preps from Harvard do music. My favorite thing is that they have a song called "Oxford Comma". 

Wild Child

If I were sitting in a cafe in Paris drinking coffee with a cute boy, I would play this band. 

Yellowcard

I knew about them when I was about 11 because of their song "Ocean Avenue" (which for some reason used to play on Radio Disney??). They're great. 

Blind Pilot, Capital Cities, Freelance Whales, Good Old War, Hey Marseilles, The Jezebels, The La's, The Lighthouse and the Whaler, Release the Sunbird

All very relaxing chillout music. Perfect for background music while enjoying a cup of tea and a good book. 

Here's a playlist that features some of my favorite tracks from each of these bands. 

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Obscurity Points

Do you have your favorite indie bands that only a few people have heard of? 

Lots of Love,

Sophie