What To Pack for Europe in the Summer

Hey loves! So tonight's post is about what to pack for Europe in the summer. As you may remember, I lived in Wales the summer following my freshman year of high school. I packed a lot of stuff I wish I hadn't. I look back on those pictures and cringe because poor taste in clothing (and glasses, but we won't go into that). 

T-shirts and tank tops. You'll want to pack these in fairly neutral colors. Not just so that they go with everything else that you pack, but also so that you blend in with the locals. England at least tends to favor neutrals. I like blues, greys, tans, whites (though this is risky because of stains), and stripes. 

Jeans. These are for the "is it really summer because it's like 2 degrees outside" days. Skinny and dark wash is better. I also like to have a pair that I can roll into capris. Shorts are for the "Yay it finally feels like summer!" days. Khaki and black are your best options. If you're in London or using public transport, just say no to anything white. It won't stay that way. 

Dressy tops. Can either go with a blazer and jeans for a day trip to a museum or a city, or left alone if going out to dinner. 

Cotton skirts for lovely summer days. Perfect for seeing castles, gardens, or antique shops. These should also be in colors that work with all your tshirts. 

Button down and a sweater. For cold days or things where you want to look sharp. I would also add a heavy navy blue cable knit sweater to my bag (I would have pulled mine out, but it's in storage). 

Cardigans and blazers. Should match the t-shirts. Europe is colder than the U.S.. It's just a fact, you need layers. Castles, museums, restaurants, etc., are also all really cold. 

Dresses. I like to have one really fancy dress for nice dinners, and two dresses that could go to more casual dinners, day trips, or church. 

A raincoat is an absolute must. All the locals have amazing ones, please do not be caught in some sort of plastic poncho thing. Do not bring shame on the United States in that way. This will also be doubling as your coat for warmth, so make sure it's lined. This is a fun place to add some color to your outfit. 

Shoes. Most people have serious trouble in this area. You really need black heels, a pair of nude flats, and a pair of chic sneakers that you can walk in. It is a given that they should match your t-shirts and should be able to be worn with your jeans. So, if all your t-shirts are brown, do NOT pack black sneakers. Make sure they are clean. These really shouldn't be running shoes either. 

You'll also need some accessories. Since these are small and easy to pack, jam as many in your case as you can (okay, leave room for souvenirs!). Through in some scarves, a few necklaces and bracelets, a hat, a swimsuit, and a headband and barrettes. You'll need a crossbody bag so your hands will be free. It should have a zipper for obvious reasons. A note: European hairdryers are pointless. Seriously. They might as well not exist. And don't try packing one, because you need an adapter and it's just too much trouble. Get used to showering at night and letting your hair dry while you sleep, or learn to do things with wet hair. French braids are a life saver. 

Train rides are long, and you can only stare at charming rolling hills and sheep for so long. Bring a travel journal, a book of crosswords/sudoko, your iPod and headphones, and a pen and pencil. Colored pencils are also nice if you like to sketch. If you're going to a non-English speaking country, bring your phrasebook. Note: Don't bring too many pens and pencils. These make awesome and cheap souvenirs. Books can also be picked up on your trip. How awesome would it be to buy a few Jane Austen novels at Jane Austen's house in Bath? (Actually, personal experience, it's pretty darn awesome!)

Anyone heading on an exciting trip soon?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

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

Room Tour

As you may know, I am currently living at home, and will be for at the very least the next year of college. As a show of gratitude for caving to their will, my parents gave me my own room in December. I've been decorating ever since, so I thought I would do a room tour post!

This is my dresser and one of my bookcases. 

My bed and the Christmas lights over my window. 

Snow Patrol is my soundtrack of choice for the evening. 

My desk. I'm currently trying to learn to use oil pastels (and it is not going well) so it is a mess right now. 

I keep my Bible, devotional, planner, stationary, journal, Self Therapy notepad, and a medical encyclopedia on the shelf next to my alarm. I currently have a vanilla candle burning, and I'm drinking a delightful cup of Earl Grey tea. 

On the other side of the shelf is where I have all of my school and art supplies. Since I'm using them right now, it's chaos. 

Wide view of the desk area. 

Another book case, which is usually more full. However, I already sold back last semester's books and have not yet purchased next semester's (because I am broke), so it looks sad right now. 

Wall art of owls. (Purchased at Home Goods.) It says "Being with you makes me happy."

My bulletin board, which I use for cards, things people have made me, souvenirs, and some of my own artwork. 

Wall of art made by me (all quotes from songs and books). 

The inside of my closet. I have things separated by type of clothing and then colored coded. 

The door of my closet, where I have a basket for scarves, wallets, clutches, etc., and a rack for bags (and my cheat shirt from Business Law, which I for some reason can not bear to throw out.)

More wall art. The S was a gift from one of my best friends. You can't really see it in the picture, but it has my name and little phrases that describe either me or things she and I did together. 

More wall art (and a contracts flow chart I keep meaning to take down now that finals are over, but it was a good memory and a pretty chart, so I'm working my way up to it.) All the art is my own, except the hedgehog painting which my sister made for me. 

So yeah, that's my room! Next time, I think I'll do a post on the wall art specifically so you can see what I spend most movies I watch at home doing!

Lots of Love,

Sophie

What I Learned From Pride and Prejudice

As I sit here drinking my mint tea on this bizarrely cold April day, I listen to the soundtrack of Pride and Prejudice and ponder the question "What did I learn from Jane Austen's most famous work?" Now, normally, I would not be pondering this. I would be writing case briefs or memorizing brain structures or drawing graphs of different types of economic markets. But today it has occurred to me that my last ever English paper is due next Thursday, and that I had probably better do something about that. So I wonder, what did I learn from Pride and Prejudice? A multitude of things, none of which I can get 5-7 pages out of.

1) Don't be an obnoxious flirt. Caroline Bingley is one of my favorite antagonists of all time, in that there is not a single scene is which I don't want to slap her and yell "HE DOESN'T LIKE YOU GIVE UP ALREADY!" Why do I hate her so? Because she is one of those girls. Everyone knows at least a few of them-the ones that listen with rapt attention to every word that falls from the attractive guy's mouth, no matter how inconsequential. The ones who compliment them for breathing. The ones who walk around is short skirts and high heels, then pointedly flip their long shiny hair to get attention. These modern day incarnations of Caroline Bingley are the bane of my existence, as I would like to walk down a hallway without getting a faceful of fruit-scented hair. These ladies also make it difficult to be just friends with a guy, as all men are now inherently distrustful of any girl who spends any significant amount of time around them. I can attribute all of this to the overly attentive Caroline Bingleys of the world.

2) Don't be a pushover. How much easier would Jane and Bingley's lives have been if only they had been a little more vocal and forceful with their wishes? If Jane had shown more interest in Bingley, Darcy would not have had as much ground to persuade Bingley to go back to London. If Bingley had more of a backbone, he wouldn't have listened to Darcy, and he and Jane could have been happy for the whole book. 

3) Manners matter. Most of the Bennet family's problems could have been avoided through proper conduct. If Mrs. Bennet wasn't such a busy body (and a loud one at that), Mr. Darcy would not have had such contempt for her and her family. If Lydia was a well behaved young lady, she would not have attracted the scandalous attentions of Mr. Wickham.

4) Being stupid gets you a stupid man. Lydia, Lydia, Lydia. Why. Because of her foolishness and her refusal to follow the proprieties, she ends up saddled to George Wickham, the cad to end all cads. You can just tell that won't be a happy relationship.

5) Avoid hot guys who just want money. While Georgiana learned her lesson in this realm, Lydia clearly did not. 

6) Don't run off with people's little sisters. They will get mad. And hate you.

7) There have always been "frenemies". Caroline-the original "frenenemy". Sweet to your face, but can't wait to talk bad about you the second you are out of the room. 

8) Don't believe everything you hear. Everyone tells stories in the way that is most flattering towards themselves, but some are distinctly more biased than others. 

9) Everyone has good and bad qualities. (Except possibly Wickham-still haven't found anything good there, unless we count "extremely hot" as a good character trait.)

10) Sometimes it requires a grand gesture to set things in motion. Now, I'm not saying that in order to ask your not-yet girlfriend for coffee you have to rescue her little sister from a ruined reputation, but sometimes it takes a little bit to get noticed. Staying up on Skype with her when she has a big exam and needs to stay awake (and a nice cup of coffee in the morning to counteract the side effects of the all nighter) should be sufficient. 

11) Pride and Prejudice is a cult. Have you SEEN how many spinoffs there are? It's kind of ridiculous. My personal favorites would include Bridget Jone's Diary by Helen Fielding (and the movie!), and the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, which is a YouTube series that tells a modern day interpretation of the story through Lizzie Bennet's vlogs. As far as the movie versions go, I've seen it come to near bloodshed over which is better, the Keira Knightley or the Colin Firth (I go back and forth. Colin Firth is my favorite Darcy, Kiera my favorite Lizzie. Her version also has the better soundtrack in my opinion.) There is a Jane Austen Society, that holds tea parties and balls and lectures. It's a world-wide phenomenon, and why not? Jane Austen changed the culture when she wrote Pride and Prejudice. She showed that the poor girl could get the rich guy, no problem. After all, the rich guy was kind of a jerk and needed to be reformed before the poor girl would deign to have him anyway. She showed the world that being smart and well read was far more important than where in society you were born. She showed how manners make the man, not the rank. In short, Jane Austen was a revolutionary. 

Now if only I could write my paper.

*NOTE: YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THIS POST ON www.romanticpremed.blogspot.com THIS IS MY POST (THAT WAS ANOTHER BLOG I CREATED AND DECIDED NOT USE AND THEREFORE DELETED, BUT NOT UNTIL I WROTE THIS POST)