August 25, 2015

Sunset at the Florence Duomo

Sara Europe, Italy Duomo, Florence, Italy, sunset, things to do in Florence 22 Comments

Florence is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Italy. There’s so much to see and do there, yet it’s not huge and overwhelming. It’s a city of art, architecture, and Italian history. I’ve been twice, and each time was absolutely floored by it’s beauty.

One of my personal favorite things I did in Florence was visiting the famous Florence Duomo. It’s properly known as The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore and is the main cathedral in Florence. I’m a huge fan of churches, and Italian churches just can’t be beat! And my favorite thing about this Gothic Cathedral is the facade. I’ve been to Florence twice. The last time I was there, I was able to visit the Florence Duomo as the sun was setting. Visiting the the church at any time of the day is definitely one of the best things to do in Florence, but visiting at sunset was extra special!

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August 21, 2015

The Big Grill Festival and the “Meat Sweats”

Sara Europe, Gigs + Festivals, Ireland Ballsbridge, BBQ, Craft Beer, Dublin, Festival, Herbert Park, Summer Festivals, The Big Grill 2 Comments

According to Urban Dictionary, the definition of the “meat sweats” is: To consume an obsene amount of meat resulting in profuse sweating.

I swear this is a real thing. It happens to me all the time! And it was especially real last weekend at Dublin’s Big Grill Festival, where I consumed an absurd about of meat. But it’s ok because I also had an absurd amount of fun!!!!!! OK, so that was really cheesy… buy anyways, here is my review of Big Grill Festival 2015!

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August 14, 2015

Friday Freebie! // Free Desktop Wallpapers

Sara Graphic Design august 2015, Cinque Terre, desktop, Italy, Travel, wallpaper 6 Comments

Happy Friday everyone! Because I’m in the spirit of giving, and OK…because I was a bit bored one night…I made a couple of free desktop wallpapers that I want to share with you all! It’s a bit late for the August one but oh well. I tried to take advantage of it being the end of summer so I chose to use 2 of my favorite photos from my trip to Cinque Terre, Italy last summer.

I hope to make this a monthly thing from now on!

So pick the free desktop wallpaper you want, find your screen size, and enjoy!

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August 12, 2015

How to do The Atlantis Resort on a Budget

Sara Caribbean, The Bahamas, Travel, Travel Advice Atlantis Resort, Bahamas, on a budget, Paradise island 8 Comments

I’m sure you’ve all heard of it (most likely from the commercials). The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. Although the Atlantis Resort really is a paradise, it can be a very expensive one.

This world famous resort would usually be one that is way, and I mean WAYYYY out of my budget. I’m usually more of a “stay-in-a-hostel-and-get-the-cheapest-room” kinda gal. Not only because I’m le poor, but because for most of my travels, I’m barely even IN my hostel, so I don’t like spending too much money on accommodation. I’d rather be out and about spending money on fun things!

But this was an exception because 1. The Atlantis is a RESORT so it was more than just a place to sleep and 2. (and most importantly) MAMA WAS PAYIN!

…Ok, well she got a discount. Because let’s be real, this place is PRICEY. The actual price of the rooms may not have been too bad (we were staying in the cheapest tower) but the price of everything else really adds up. That’s right. This was NOT an all-inclusive resort. As a matter of fact, food and drinks were expensive.

But good news! There are ways to make it as cheap as possible! These are 3 easy ways to do the Atlantis Resort on a budget and make your whole trip a helluva lot cheaper!

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August 10, 2015

10 Things to do on a Sunny Day in Dublin!

Sara Europe, Ireland, Travel, Travel Advice sunny day, Things to do in Dublin 34 Comments

Ah, Ireland. You sure do know how to make a gal lose her tan…

Ok, so obviously Ireland is not exactly known for having the best weather.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the cold and rain. But it does definitely gets old. I mean….it hailed in June. That just ain’t right. So although I do love the chilly weather, after a while of that one can’t help but wonder when the sun will finally decide to grace us with its presence.

One thing I love about being somewhere with finicky weather is that when it’s sunny, people REALLY appreciate and take advantage of it. A sunny day is ~~rare~~ special here. The parks will be packed, the trains will be full with people heading to the coast, and there’s just a happy energy in the air.

Here are my personal recommendations of the BEST things to do in Dublin on a beautiful, sunny day!

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August 7, 2015

Central London, Shot on Film

Sara England, Photo Diaries, Photography, UK England, Eye Candy, film photography, London, Travel Photography 10 Comments

Upon arriving in London, my spirits are lifted and I immediately become happy. I’ve been 3 times, and the beauty of the city still floors me every time. I really just love everything about it.

I realize that I may have a romanticised view of London. But I don’t care. I just love the hustle and bustle, and how there’s always something to do there. It’s a place I could definitely see myself living.

And whether you like London or not, you can’t deny that it is an iconic city, with numerous world-famous landmarks, and scenes and images that are just quintessentially “London.”

The first time I went to London, I shot some images with my old Pentax film camera with 35mm color film. I love photos taken on film because they have a certain graininess and rawness to them. And, it’s such a surprise when you get them developed and see them for the first time. Sometimes you find they came out horribly, and sometimes you end up with amazing photos.

Since I recently got that film roll developed, I thought I’d share some of the good ones. These photos capture what is, to me, the quintessential look London. Some of the most iconic London scenes and landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the iconic red telephone boxes.

Here are a few great photos I got of London, shot on film.

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August 4, 2015

Expat Life in Ireland // Month #3 recap and photos

Sara Expat, Expat Life Recaps Dublin life, Expat in Ireland, living in Ireland, Things to do in Dublin 18 Comments

So last Thursday ended Month #3 living in good ol’ Dublin! And I’m still absolutely loving expat life in Ireland.

It’s Month #3 of living in Dublin and this place is really, REALLY starting to feel like home. I regularly hang out with new friends. We have bars that we know and love, but are also still exploring new places. I know how to get to my usual spots. I can understand the Irish accent better. And I’ve taken advantage of the scenery of this beautiful country!

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July 28, 2015

Hometown Homage // Why I Love Lafayette

Sara Louisiana, USA Lafayette, Louisiana, Why I love Lafayette 5 Comments

In light of recent events, I wanted to take a break from posts about places far and wide and focus on the place I grew up and have lived practically all my life – Lafayette, Louisiana.

Now, Lafayette is an amazing place, often overshadowed by tourists and news by New Orleans. Last year, Lafayette gained a lot of national news coverage when a study showed that it was the “Happiest City in the United States.” We Lafayette natives were proud that our city, our little city, was finally getting the attention it deserved.

However, more recently, Lafayette gained national attention again – but this time for a reason no one saw coming, and a reason no one was happy about. There was a shooting in a local movie theater, a movie theater that I went to all the time back when I was in Lafayette. A movie theater that many of my friends live near. Two girls were killed, and about nine others injured.

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July 23, 2015

Longitude Festival 2015: A Day in Review

Sara Europe, Gigs + Festivals, Ireland 2015, Hozier, Ireland festivals, Longitude Festival, Marlay Park, music festivals 7 Comments

OK, so I PROMISE this will be the last music festival post for a while. I know I’ve been posting a lot of music festivals lately, but it is festival season after all! But for those of you who would rather my travel posts, do not fear! I will be back to my regularly scheduled, absolutely awesome, and incredible witty travel posts soon enough!

But for now, I’m going to talk about and review my day at Longitude Festival 2015!

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July 21, 2015

Nos Alive Music Festival in Lisbon, Portugal

Sara Europe, Gigs + Festivals, Portugal 2014, European music festivals, Festivals, Lisbon, Nos Alive, Portugal 12 Comments

I’ve mentioned before in a few posts how much I adore Lisbon. I absolutely fell in love with it when I visited last summer and am already dying to go back!

There is SO much to see and do in Lisbon (check out this post) and I could go on and on about recommendations! But when we went, there just so happened to be a major music festival happening. So (OF COURSE) we had to go for a day! So just a few short weeks after having an amazing day at the Isle of Wight music festival in England, our last stop in Lisbon was to see my favorite band (which is the Arctic Monkeys FYI) headline NOS Alive music festival 2014, right outside of Lisbon city centre!

With this year’s NOS Alive having been recently, I’ve been reminiscing on my time there last year!

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