Please check out my newly named and designed blog, The Couturist by clicking here!
Enjoy!!
xoxo
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Rome Guide: Best Restaurants and Gelato in the Eternal City
Italian food is amazing. From perfectly cooked pasta to crispy thin crust pizza, everything in this city is mouthwatering. For those of you traveling to the eternal city, here's a guide for serious foodies featuring some of my favorite restaurants and the best gelato.
Mangia! Mangia!
---Restaurants---
This is my favorite restaurant in all of Rome. Seriously everything on this menu is amazing but I would recommend the Amatriciana (like a bolognese with pancetta) or the Cacio e Pepe (the classic Roman Pecorino cheese and black pepper dish). The artichoke torte appetizer is also amazing. Reservations are definitely needed and the ambiance is a little dated but the walls are lined with pictures of famous people who have dined at Antica Pesa. It also has one of the most extensive wine lists in Rome.
The best Cacio e Pepe! in Rome! It is served in an edible bowl of parmesan cheese- yum! The big drawback for this restaurant is the service (boo). They are pretty dismissive of Americans and expect tips from non-Italians (usually people in Italy tip at most 10 percent). It is advisable to make a reservation as there aren’t many tables and they fill up quickly. I would also recommend the zuppli to start (fried risotto/cheese/tomato sauce balls).
Ah! Roscioli! This place is the best. The restaurant is so delicious (try the All'Amatriciana or Roman Meatballs), but my favorite thing about Roscioli is their wine and food tasting. This takes place Wednesday-Friday nights and is so fun. You need a reservation. The sommelier will pour a lot (read: minimum 10 types) of wine alongside delicious bread (Roscioli also operates a bakery down the street called Forno Roscioli) with cheese and meat. For dinner, you are served the famous All'Amatriciana and for dessert, you'll try the best tiramisu I've ever had. The whole experience is long and the sommelier is a bit eccentric but it was probably the most fun night I've had in Rome (big bonus was that the boyfriend was there!).
This place is really famous because Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise took their wedding party here one night. The food is so good and authentic italian. The white bean soup is their most famous and delicious dish but I also love the risotto (with mushrooms please!).
For a hip, fresh take on Italian food, try Ginger Roma. The Cacio e Pepe and All’Amatriciana here are really delicious as is the chicken with yogurt mint sauce and rosemary potatoes. For lunch, try the red rice salad. When dining with another person, consider getting the salumi e formaggi platter, which is an assortment of delicious roman cold meats and cheeses. This restaurant is open all day (meaning doesn’t close between lunch and dinner) and is open on Sundays (major plus).
One of the most famous tuscan restaurants in Rome. So yummy, especially the bolognese!
I love this local pizza place, which is very famous among Romans. It is super casual (think plastic chairs) but so authentic and delicious. My favorite pizza is made with pesto and potato, or the parmagiana (tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, eggplant).
Known as the best pizza in Rome (my boyfriend agrees), and in my opinion probably the world. It is super authentic, inexpensive but kind of off the beaten path. Testaccio is a really hip area with fun nightlife and lots of young people. You have to put your name down to get a table as there are no reservations. Most people get a drink (either wine or beer) and drink it outside or at the park across the street while they wait. For parties of 4 or fewer it isn’t hard to get in even on a Saturday night after waiting around 20 minutes. The parmagiana pizza here is to die for as is there Marinara (pizza Rosso). Make sure you order a Pizza Rosso or else there is no tomato sauce!
This is a takeaway/by the slice pizza place literally on Campo de Fiori making it ultra convenient. It is really delicious and the cookies are amazing and authentic too too. Great for a snack or picnic lunch (you get to tell them how much you want, as it is by weight). The plain margherita is my favorite and the shortbread-jam cookies are so yummy too.
---Gelato ---
This is the most incredible gelato place in Rome! The flavors are amazing (I like the pineapple, chocolate fondent and the salted caramel with himalayan pink sea salt!). The shop is tiny but the whole concept behind their gelato is amazing. The gelato is served in cones that they first fill with liquid chocolate (you choose white or milk/dark) and then they put ice cream on top. After that you get a little bit of panna (like whipped cream but not as sweet) on top. The flavors of this amazing cream are classic (the best), vanilla, coffee or english cream. Finally, they dip a wafer cookie in liquid chocolate and put it on top. Heaven!
This is very similar to Come il Late but the flavors are a little different. The Ricotta and Pear is amazing!! Not as many fancy toppings, but a favorite artisan gelato place.
Basically the most famous gelato place in Rome. It is amazing but be prepared to wait in long lines to get your gelato (tip: skip the line and go straight to the cash register, the tourists standing in line are all confused. Pay first!!). The best flavors are nutella (seriously the richest and most delicious thing ever) and the champagne and strawberry (preferably together). SO GOOD.
The New York Times says this is the best gelato in Rome. Not sure if I would agree, but it is certainly great. It is a much fancier vibe (they have this little velvet rope out when they are closed). Best flavors are Hazelnut, Vanilla Bourbon and any of the fruit flavors/meringues. The chocolate is the only disappointing flavor I’ve tried.
Cute little shop in Trastevere. Really high quality gelato and by far the best panna (whipped cream) in Rome! Try the stracciatella!
Ciao!
xoxo
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Beauty Essentials for Traveling (or Studying!) Abroad
Studying abroad is essentially living out of a suitcase (or in my case three-- whoops!) for an extended period of time. I found myself taking only clothes, make up and a few pens/notebooks so I could travel as light as possible-- which, to be honest, isn't really that light at all.
But while I struggled to decide on fewer than 5 pairs of shoes (no regrets), I was able to pair down my beauty products to just what I needed. Minus the basics like shampoo and conditioner, here are the things I've been reaching for throughout this trip:
The best under eye concealor that makes even the most tired, travel-worn eyes look awake! I wear the shade vanilla.
This neutral nail polish is perfect for every day. I have gone through so many since I first discovered it a little over a year ago! The color is also great for hiding chipped nails.
This spray feels like a spa facial even when you're away from home. So nice! The scent is amazing (and relaxing). Plus, the essential oils in it are great for moisturizing skin after long flights.
(thanks bf for brining me some more!!)
I love this scent. Lately I have been mixing it up between a few different ones, but this is the perfume I always come back to. It is fresh and powdery and wears very well throughout the day.
This rich body lotion is an amazing treat for dry skin, and will keep legs looking silky smooth as we move into shorts and skirt weather!
I haven't gotten a haircut in... way too long. This deep conditioning hair mask helps a ton with keeping locks smooth, shiny and split-end free.
The perfect, dewy primer gives you glowing skin without looking fake or greasy. Obsessed!
My favorite before-bed ritual. This lip balm smells amazing and is so moisturizing. I haven't had chapped lips since I started using it!
Rest is the most important part of looking good. You can't always fake 8 hours of sleep! My silk eye mask is great for blocking out light and forces me to calm down and get some rest.
Probably my can't-live-without beauty product. I love how this color adjusts perfectly to my lips to give me a natural shade of pink. It is also full of Vitamin E so it is super-moisturizing and smells like roses. So great!
xoxo
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Heavy Metal: Metallic Trend for Spring
A huge trend I've been noticing both in Italy and in US magazines (I still pour over every month's issues of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, Lucky and Glamour!) is metallics for spring. There's no better way to warm up a frosty complexion than with a little glow.
I think the best way to incorporate metallics tastefully is through accessories (including makeup!). I've pulled together some neutral shoes with metallic touches, my favorite dainty gilded necklaces and finally some metallic cosmetics that will complete the look.
Bonus points for pairing with all neutrals (i.e. this goes perfectly with a little black dress!).
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Roma: Midterm Update + A New Playlist!
This past weekend marked one month of my study abroad program in Rome. It seems that time has gone so fast and so slow all at the same time! I can't believe I'm almost halfway through my time here.
A midterm break- both physically and mentally- is exactly what I've been needing so I am ready to continue soaking up all that Rome has to offer. This post marks the beginning of my reflections.
So far, my stay here has been incredible. Everyone on my program keeps using the phrase "such an experience." From running around the gardens at Villa d'Este in Tivoli to the most amazing week-long visit from my boyfriend to going to Easter Mass at the Vatican to becoming a regular at a few places near my apartment, every minute has been filled with memorable cultural experiences, no matter how small.
A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Well here are some photos from the trip with captions:
Cappuccino
First things first: food. Specifically, coffee. Italian espresso is simply delicious. Whether you stop in at a famous coffee shop like Tazza D'Oro and Sant'Eustachio or any random cafe, you're hard pressed to find a bad cappuccino and coronetto (the smaller italian equivalent of a croissant). And the designs in the coffee are simply gorgeous! The cup above was the best-- and most beautiful-- coffee I tried during the trip.
Aperitivo
Next up are aperitivi or appetizers. Aperitivo is the italian practice of having drinks and snacks before dinner. I've gotten early into ordering meat and cheese platters as appetizers when I go out to dinner with friends. Again, the presentation is just as wonderful as the taste of the food!
Chocolate and Hazelnut Gelato
The gelato is simply heavenly! The best part is the panna or cream they put on top. It's nothing like sugary American whipped cream, but instead it is light and fluffy, enhancing the flavor of the rich gelato.
Spaghetti Pomodorini
And last, but certainly not least in the food category is pasta. The pasta in Italy is just slightly al dente (meaning firm) which really adds another dimension of texture to every dish. I'm loving trying fresh pesto and cacio e pepe during my travels!
Sant'Andrea al Quirinale
In terms of art, I am obsessed with baroque architecture, and there are few better places to study it than Italy. The gilded roof pictured above is in Bernini's Sant'Andrea al Quirinale. I love the sense of movement and grandeur that is baroque architecture.
The Boxer at the Palazzo Massimo
Visiting museums with my classmates and professor have provided me an unparalleled academic experience. There's nothing like learning from an expert and then discussing the pieces we study while they're physically in front of us. Previously, I had very much discounted the impact art and architecture can have on a viewer when the work is physically present, but now I really understand how striking a work really is in the flesh (cue my bizarrely emotional responses to seeing the Dying Gaul and Gardens of Villa d'Este).
Villa d'Este
When we first walked into the gardens, one of my classmates remarked that Villa d'Este was actually heaven on earth. I think he is right. I am rarely so overwhelmed by the sheer grandeur outdoors as I was upon visiting the gardens at the villa in Tivoli. The fountain-filled gardens at Villa d'Este show a controlled version of nature, striking a balance between the untamed earth and man's command over the natural world.
Il Papa
For Easter, many of the students on my program including myself were able to get tickets to Vatican Mass. It was an incredible and exhausting experience that I will certainly never forget.
Mosaics
Mosaics are seriously everywhere in Italy, and I think they are absolutely incredible. I am used to seeing mosaics with larger, more noticeable tesserae, however the ones I have been seeing in Rome look like actual pictures from far away. The pieces of glass and ceramic tile are so minuscule!
The Capitoline Museum
I visited the Capitoline with my classmates one of the first days of the program and absolutely loved it. The Greco-Roman art grows more impressive given its place on the piazza at the top of Capitoline Hill, designed by Michelangelo himself. Additionally, the museum opens up to the above view of the forum, giving the artwork proper historical context and transporting the viewer further back in time. In fact, I loved this museum so much I took il mio ragazzo back when he visited!
All Roads Lead to Rome
When the bf visited Roma, we made sure to stop by the Trevi fountain and toss in 3 gold coins so that we would return back to Rome. His visit was one of the best parts of the trip as I loved showing him all the restaurants, historical sites and other favorite places I've told him about in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Looks like our coin toss worked as I'm lucky enough to be seeing him again in 6 days! I can't believe it!
And here's the soundtrack that's been blasting all trip long:
Ciao!
xoxo
Monday, April 21, 2014
Required Reading & Rome Update
Confession: Before I arrived in Rome, I not only overestimated not only how much time I would have to post, but also how much time I would want to spend posting. So for the past 4 weeks, my blog has been a series of random updates and excuses as to why I haven't been posting. In reality, I simply haven't wanted to devote an hour or more per day to writing.
This blog has always been my creative outlet- a side project that I didn't want to be stressful, but instead a place to share what I love and what inspires me. During my first month in Rome, I wanted to soak it all in and explore, so I took a break from Prose, Pearls & Polka Dots.
And during that time, it felt great.
But now that things have settled down, I am going to try to post a little more often when inspiration strikes me. However, while I am studying abroad my main priority is to soak it all in. And let me tell you- there is a lot to explore and experience.
I will be posting some more in-depth updates about the trip, but today I have some articles I have been reading to share for "Required Reading."
Note: This week's "Required Reading" won't feature the normal categories of what I post, but will be a compilation of different favorite things I have read online.
1. For anyone who has, will or is studying abroad, this list of tips is helpful and mostly applicable to making the most of your trip. Especially number 15!
2. I am legitimately paranoid when it comes to sunscreen. When I was a sophomore in high school I went to an outdoor music concert in a tank top and forgot to reapply sunscreen to my shoulders. What seemed like months of peeling and redness later, the burn recovered but I still have a smattering of freckles across my shoulders. Now that spring has arrived, applying sunscreen all over is very important. Read this guide for head-to-toe protection.
3. I have been eating so much great pasta in Italy. What makes it stand out is just how well it is cooked- slightly al dente, but not too firm. When preparing pasta at home, follow these tips to get the perfect texture every time.
4. Now Smell This and The Olfactorialist are two blogs I consult whenever I'm looking for a new perfume. They recently came in handy lately when a perfume I had turned a strange color and started smelling strange- turns out I've been storing my perfume incorrectly (aka displaying them on my bedside table) all along. Follow these tips to make your scents last long and smell great.
5. One of my favorite websites is The Coveteur. Dedicated to following the lives fashion's biggest names, The Coveteur gives readers a peak into the closets of stylists, profiles new designers and highlights all things chic. This article about Grace Coddington of Vogue's birthday is phenomenal as is this look into make up artist Lisa Eldrige's home.
6. Finally, I have been recently loving theSkimm. My wifi hasn't been the most consistent while in Rome and my mornings start much earlier, so I haven't had as much time to peruse NYT right when I get up (thankfully since downloading the mobile version of the paper, I've been able to read it at lunch). However, for my morning informing, theSkimm is perfect. Monday through Friday, I get an email with important news stories even some fashion and entertainment updates. It's written very conversationally and is great for right when I get up in the morning.
Happy Monday!
xoxo
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
March Favorites
March has been such a whirlwind. I can't believe I've gone from finals on the East Coast to home for a few days in California to now studying in Italy-- so many wonderful things have happened over the past 31 days, and I know things will continue to get better in April.
Here are a few of my favorites from March:
Head to Toe Black
via Pinterest
I love the all black look (I'll be posting more about it later this week) that I have seen so many Italians rock. It is chic and sophisticated. By playing with textures and adding one bold accessory (a necklace or a scarf or a bag), you look instantly elegant. Obsessed!
Joie Ailey Leather Jacket
via Joie
In the same vein as the all black look, I am obsessed with my Joie Ailey leather jacket. I know I'll get a ton of wear out of this classic piece and think the cut is just so flattering. Love it!
Silk Scarves
via Pinterest
I have been loving adding a silk scarf to a neutral outfit. The pop of color instantly livens things up.
Dior Healthy Glow Blush
via Pinterest
I have been obsessed with the Dior Healthy Glow range for awhile, but I am especially in love with the blush- it's simply perfect for spring. The color is very bright initially, but gets much more subtle when applied (use a light hand) and blends easily. The cool blue undertones make eyes look whiter and your face look fresher all around!
Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil
via Pinterest
A few weeks ago, I got a facial after a particularly bad breakout (most likely due to a very stressful end of the term). The esthetician said my skin was pretty weak and dehydrated and recommend I use something with Vitamin C to strengthen my skin. Luckily, I had this serum at home already and began using it twice per day. It could be a total placebo effect, but my breakouts are majorly reduced even after traveling and getting less-than-ideal amounts of sleep. Great find!
Cacio e Pepe Pasta
via Pinterest
Since getting to Rome, I've tried out a new pasta dish called Cacio e Pepe. Essentially it is a type of pasta with some olive oil, cheese and lots of black pepper. Initially I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I ended up loving it. Obviously it isn't very healthy so I've only had it a couple of times since arriving in Rome but it's incredible.
Gelato
via Pinterest
I've been trying out a new gelato place every few days (somehow my sweet tooth has majorly disappeared since moving to Rome) when I'm in the mood, and I've found a few great places. At the end of my trip, I'll be posting a guide to all my favorite places in Rome including gelato.
Rome
via Pinterest
I am so happy that I decided to study abroad in Rome for a quarter. There were so many times I became nervous about the program- I am not an art history major, I barely speak italian, I was going to miss my family and boyfriend so much et cetera. However, the city itself has provided me an unparalleled educational and cultural experience that I have really enjoyed. My italian has drastically improved since I got here, I've learned about the fundamentals of Roman art and architecture throughout history and keeping in touch with my family and boyfriend has not been as difficult as I anticipated (thank you FaceTime). Feeling at home while abroad is so nice and thanks to a few visitors over the term, my real home doesn't seem so far away.
Happy Wednesday!
xoxo
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