Wanderlust

And she's back! 

Between finals, moving home from college and working, 

it's safe to say I've been off the radar for a while.

But no need to fear! I am back and itching to share whats on my mind...

Travel.

Travel.

Did I mention travel?

From New York City with my best sidekick, Meg,
 to studying abroad in Florence, Italy next spring, 

I have not been able to stop planning, reading
and dreaming about the opportunities which lie ahead.

Someone once told me I have a strong case of wanderlust. 

At the time, I knew nothing of this word or what it meant.

However, it is now one of my favorite words
and describes precisely my feelings towards travel.

Wanderlust is a vague feeling. Vague, yet entirely unmistakable.
 It begins with a twinge in the back of your mind, 
then leads to a feeling of excitement in your heart. 
A feeling like this you cannot ignore. 
It has the capacity to bring the greatest sense of longing and happiness ever felt.

The feeling of wanderlust is centered fully on the unknown and the desire to know it.
It is a yearning to explore, to learn and to see what one has never seen before. 

I leave with you, a quote to ponder over.
You may have heard it before,
but I hope it inspires you to take a risk, go somewhere new
and experience all this awe-inspiring world has to offer.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain

Until next time, 

Seeking Adventure in Scotland

This past fall, I had the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time. Our group voyaged to Scotland to hike the West Highland Way, a 96 mile trek along side rolling hills, towering mountains, dense woodland and deep Lochs (lakes).

Top of Conic Hill overlooking Loch Lomond

 I distinctly remember feeling a sense of admiration during my time in Scotland. My eyes were all of wide with wonder as they kept discovering new sights never seen before. My ears felt rich with diverse languages and accents being conversed around me. The feeling of being a foreigner in a land I’ve never been was such a humbling experience. 

Beginning of the West Highland Way

Hiking the highlands only intensified that feeling. For once, I felt like a true traveler, wandering uncharted territory. Our journey began in Milngavie, a small town just outside Glasgow and ended in Fort Williams, a bustling settlement in the Highlands of Scotland. 

Highland Hikers

Our days ranged from 9-19 miles of hiking from one bed and breakfast to the next.

Nights were spend relaxing in the pubs, where we mingled with the locals and even got a private bagpipe show from a Scottish pub owner named Stuart.

Top of Devil's Staircase

The most anticipated stage of the West Highland Way occurred on one of our last hiking days. The Devil's Staircase begins with a steep climb leading up and out of majestic Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s iconic Highlands valleys, followed by a long descent to the town of Kinlochieven.

"On the Bonnie Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond."

Traveling to Scotland, and hiking the West Highland Way very much deepened my curiosity to see and experience the rest of the world. I highly recommend anyone to take this trek or a section of it at the least! 

If you have any further questions about my journey, don't hesitate to ask!

Captivated.

Coffee// Cameras// Books// Travel// Fashion// Food
A few of my favorite things.

I have always been captivated by the way you can see someone’s passion in their eyes when they talk about the thing they love. Their eyes gleam with excitement and fill with light. It’s infectious. Passion is something our hearts desire, and it ultimately defines who we are.

A song I feel fully embodies the idea and feel of passion is called
 “This Is Beautiful”, by singer/songwriter Tyrone Wells.
It goes something like this…

“I never could have seen this coming

The most amazing things

They arrive within a moment

You are here with me, I'm alive all of a sudden

Anyone can see, anyone can see it's beautiful

You set off avalanches in my heart”

For me, this song fully embodies the feeling of passion and desire.

Although I believe Tyrone wrote this song about love for another person, you can certainly relate it to all aspects of life. Whether coffee and books, fashion and photography, or a compelling case of wanderlust, surround yourself with whatever it is that makes you happy. I for one, am remarkably intrigued by all the above.

I am excited to share with you my stories and pictures, along with thoughts and ideas about anything and everything. Enjoy!