// SMUDGE - The Items You ACTUALLY Need When Packing For A Trip // It was an incredibly daunting task trying to pack for an open ended trip to Europe this past Spring/Summer. I knew I would be in numerous social and weather situations which caused me to over-pack like flippin maniac. I ended up having to send items home that were just a complete waste of space and also had to buy items that I really wished I had brought with me in the first place. So I thought I’d share my wi

// SMUDGE- Instagram Opportunities You Can’t Miss in Paris // One of the many reasons why I adore Paris so much is that 99% of the time no matter where you look there is always something extraordinarily awesome to see. In the era of Instagram, Paris has a post worthy opportunity around every corner ( and at every meal if you're like me and love taking pictures of your food almost more than eating it). But this can honestly be overwhelming especially if you only have a short p

// SMUDGE - Paris Part 5: The Latin Quarter // I feel like almost every single street in Paris has been written about or featured in a movie at some point in time. Today while I adventured around the Latin Quarter, an area of Paris favored in the past by many a literary giant, I visited some fun spots that have been made famous through book and screen. Hemingway’s Hood- At 74 Rue du Cardinal ( pictured above ) you can find the apartment where Ernest Hemingway and his wife Had

// SMUDGE - Fashion, Food, and Shopping in East London // The last time I was in London I was 14 and it was the last stop on a two week whirlwind trip around Europe with my family. My experiences in London were barely memorable and honestly pretty lame (well other than the Princess Di Clothing Exhibit), so I was very excited to re-experience London as a “grown adult”. I spent the two first afternoons doing the “must see sights” like Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park by bike. Th

// SMUDGE - Paris Part 4: Canal St. Martin // Even though I have been in Paris for almost three months, I had yet to visit the gorgeous Canal Saint Martin in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. I am so glad I finally did because I had a super fun day exploring this can’t miss, super hip, beautiful area of Paris The Canal- Canal Saint Martin was built in 1825 and stretches 2 and a half miles through the 10th and 11th. There are numerous bridges on the canal perfect for photo opp

// SMUDGE - Paris Part 3: Galeries Lafayette, Pigalle, Berthillion, and More Saint Germain // - Filled to order cream puffs at La Maison du Chou Tucked in a little court yard in Saint Germain is La Maison du Chou, an adorable little bakery that specializes in cream puffs that are pipped with a fresh cream of your choice ( vanilla, chocolate, or coffee ) when you order them. I got three in vanilla and walked along the river to enjoy my cream puffs in the Tuileries Garden. Thes