Bits and pieces

Most days I find myself spending a lot of time cooped up in my cozy, little room. I honestly adore my room because, in many ways, it's a lot like me: vintage with a modern flair, eccentric and classic. 

My absolute favorite part of my room though, is my bookcase. It is filled with a mix of both antique and new books and adorned with vintage knick-knacks that make it so fun! Well, to me at least. 

Most of the jewelry pictured is vintage and one of a kind, but it you have any questions about them let me know!

Europe: Food and Drink

I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with the food and drinks that I had in Europe! Here are a few of my favorite things I sampled!

I'm kind of in a relationship with food and loved trying so many new things!

Europe: Paris

Paris was everything I thought it would be. You know how you watch movies or read an article about a place and it never ends up being the same as it was portrayed? Well, that wasn't the case with Paris. It oozed sophistication and grace. The people were beautiful in their chic yet natural way. It was gorgeous and I really enjoyed my time there.

Europe: Ireland

Ireland had to be my favorite! The people were hilarious and exceptionally nice. The food was LOVELY and the scenes were gorgeous. Here are a few of my favorite snap shots from Ireland!

I ate this burger at a McDonalds in Dublin. It is called the Texas burger. Didn't really taste too much like Texas, but it was interesting!

Europe: London

London was absolutely gorgeous! The architecture and buildings were all so impressive and lovely. Here are a few of my favorite snap shots of London!

What's in my bag: Carry-on edition

I decided to do a What's in my bag post for the carry-on that I took with me to Europe!

 The great bag I bought from JcPennys! It held so much and was only about $34 dollars! 

Items from left to right:
"I Was Here" travel journal. It is so neat and a must have for travelers!
Black mini umbrella.
Headphones so I could watch movies on the plane! I watched all three Lord of the Rings movies on the way to London.
Water color pallet.
Plane ticket.
Vintage handkerchief.
iPod touch.
Passport.
Underground pass! I loved traveling by tube! It was so easy, convenient and fun! Great for people watching.
Moleskin with my original cover work and my favorite pens and pencil.
The design on my cover is supposed to look like what an old map looked like. It says "a brief description of the Earth" in Latin on the top and "There and back again" in Latin on the bottom. Everything was drawn freehand and it took me about 3 hours to finish.

I had plenty to keep me busy on the plane with my carry-on bag of goodies! 

Settling back in

I have been home from my Europe trip for two weeks now and it really feels like time has flown by. I am still putting away clothes that I had taken with me. In between work and going to the gym I haven't had much time to put away all of my things.

Let me just say that Europe was amazing. Truly amazing. It was a once in a lifetime experience and it really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I know I will be going back. I will post some pictures of my trip as soon as I get them all uploaded onto my computer!

My two brothers met me at the airport to take me home and we later went to dinner to my favorite Mexican food restaurant, El Potosino, for a welcome home meal. It was a real pleasure to come home and finally get to eat some good chips and salsa!

The next day saw me waking up bright and early to get ready for my little brothers graduation from high school, the last one from our family! I was really excited and proud of him when I watched him walk across the stage to take his diploma. We went to dinner at a steakhouse and again I had the pleasure of eating food that tasted like home.

I also had a little welcome home lunch with two of my best friends and favorite people in the world. We went to a little Thai restaurant that I had never tried before, but being a lover of anything Thai I was looking forward to it. I had a great time talking to my girlfriends about my trip while eating my beef Panang, which was delicious!

I am finally beginning to get settled back in at home. I can't tell you how happy I was to see my bed, which I am sure all travelers feel by the end of their trip! I am getting back into the ebb and flow of my life, going to work and spending time at home with my family. Which is what I will be doing this weekend!

A little girls biggest dream

In a weeks time the dream that I have held close to my heart will finally be fulfilled.

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of traveling to Europe, England in general. I don't really know what attracted me to England at such a young age, but I was obsessed. I think it might have been due to my childish crush on David Bowie, who I still kind of love anyways. To say the least, a love for everything English has been flaming up inside me ever since I could comprehend The Labyrinth.

As I grew older, I became more and more besotted with the English, their literature and their customs. It's not one of those touristy fascinations that you sometimes see in people. It is a genuine admiration for the history and the people.

I will be able to visit the house of my favorite poet, John Keats. Whose poem, Ode to a Nightingale, is one of the loveliest I have ever read. I will travel to Jane Austen's house in Bath and perhaps soak up a little bit of her literary genius.

To me, England is almost like my ideal world; filled with history and interesting characters on the streets. I actually can't wait to sit down at a cafe and enjoy a cup of tea, which my mother hates but I prefer over coffee any day, by the way, and people watch.

In short, in 7 days, a little girls biggest dream will come true. A new adventure will unfold and I can't wait to see what lies in store for me.

An introduction of sorts

When I was younger, I hated my name.  Jacquelyn just seemed like a name that was too common and simple for a little girl filled with as much charisma, intelligence, and creativity as I was told I had.  

As I grew up, however, I realized that my name fit my personality perfectly.  I was named after my grandmother, who I absolutely adore.  She is one of those truly incredible women that you feel lucky to know.  I hope that one day I will be as elegant as her. 

As for now, at the age of 20, I am a little less than elegant.  I find that I am too interested in adventures to be elegant at this time in my life.  If there is one thing you will discover about me over the course of this is that I am always open for an adventure.  Hopefully this blog will catalog the multiple adventures that I intend to have during my lifetime. 

In fact, I believe I have to go on an adventure right now. So, if you will excuse me, I will be going.