life lessons

Life is short.

break the rules.

forgive quickly,

kiss slowly,

love truly,

laugh uncontrollably,

and never regret anything that made you smile.

happy 21st to sheri

Sheri's birthday was last weekend, and it was a complete success!!

Friday night, we went to aperitivo with some friends to our favorite place: Movida.

Afterwards, we were going to go home and study for our optional Italian test the next morning, but we were invited to Hollywood (one of our favorite clubs) free of charge!  

[side note: it's not like LA or AZ here where girls always get in free...girls always pay here.]

Hollywood was a blast, and it just so happened to be "model night," so naturally, we felt kind of small and ugly at one point.  But, when we were cooling down, we got the courage to talk to these model boys, and they were actually really nice!  We talked and danced with them for about three hours, before making our way home to sleep in until 2 or 4 that afternoon.

Saturday night, Sheri had friends over at her apartment.  We ate, played games, talked, and then made our way to the metro station to go to Eleven (our other favorite club).  It was amazing, as well.

Sunday consisted of RELAXING.  Which was much needed.  And we've basically been relaxing ever since.  We even turned down an invitation to go see David Guetta (free!!) at Eleven on Tuesday night.  See, we're responsible :)

aperitivo food and drinks <3 

james & michael got her a rose for her bday

the crew 

creepy guy at hollywood that followed us from club to club last weekend

the models that were better looking in person--i swear!

me, sheri, jordan, and paige @ the pregame

the boys & girls

birthday girl <3

metro ride to eleven clubroom

it was raining...hence the plastic bag for protection

we're both 21 now!!! not that it matters in Italy ;)

bocconi

School has now been in session for almost two weeks.  And I love it!

My schedule, although five days a week, is not intrusive at all.  I'm forced to get up early on Mondays and Wednesdays, but that leaves the whole afternoon to explore the city, meet up with friends, or eat way too much.

The classes shouldn't be that difficult...the only thing that may get tough is not having tests every month or so, but only having a final at the end of the semester.  Luckily, I have friends in most of my classes, actually all of them now, so studying should be a breeze :)

The campus is beautiful.  So modern.  And the students? It reminds me of being at a school on the East Coast, even though I've never been to a school on the East Coast.  Still, the boys are all wearing colorful pants and collared, button-down shirts.  While the girls all have their Louis Vuitton's in hand and heels that are more suitable for the club than an 8:30 am class on their feet.  

And now what you've all been waiting for...these day time pictures haha.

cooking lunch in my kitchen 

killing time with Mr. Bocconi? before our first class

slushie and shopping runs after class :)

sexy zara hats

hanging out at the columns after a long day

cappuccinos and brioches if we wake up early enough ;)

getting outside during class breaks--to take advantage of the sunny weather!

VFNO in milano

Last night, I had the privilege of attending Vogue's Fashion Night Out in none other than the capital of the fashion world, Milan.  The streets around Via Vittorio Emanuele were filled with beautiful people, young and old, all with drinks in hand.  We stopped by a store to get champagne, another to get red wine, and another to have these little chocolate mousse treats.  Absolutely to die for.  

The only thing I would have changed would be to have come more prepared.  A girl in Sheri's class had a whole list of every store she wanted to hit, at what time, and who was gifting.  It might have to be in LA next year, but attending Vogue's Fashion Night Out is something you have to do at least once.

week one

To sum it up, week one of being on exchange in Milano has been AMAZING.

It's only been seven days, and already I've experienced more things and met more interesting people than I ever thought possible.

I was lucky to have met my new best friend on Day 3, and we've been inseparable ever since!  And she lives so close, that it's no problem to meet up before going out or just to go grocery shopping or grab a pizza.  I'm so used to having another half with Kelcy and all, so I'm so happy to have found that.  Because other wise, I would literally be in my room more than I'd like to be.

Week One was filled with sightseeing, walking (sooo much), braving it through the heavy rain (that was almost hurricane-esque), and meeting new people (and our fair share of Italians, as well).  The favorite spot is Eleven Clubroom in the Corso Como district.  Even when you're just sitting on a ledge outside of the bars and clubs, you're bound to meet people with amazing stories and backgrounds.  

<3 eleven clubroom <3

Some photos to catch up on :)

The Duomo

me, Sheri, and Paige

partners in crime

4 euro pizzas. 2 euros each. what a deal.

and our biggest expense? cab rides home.