I told you this Instragram shot was going to see its way into a future post! I don't know if I have mentioned this on the blog yet, but I am going abroad for a semester this fall (so soon its kind of crazy)!  I plan on doing quite a few posts in the upcoming month about my planning and packing so if you have any ideas please let me know!  But all I have been really focusing on so far is all the places I want to travel to while I'm there.  I will be studying in Scotland so its not too difficult for me to get to other European countries making my options pretty endless.  But that being said, I don't want to just go to the typical abroad hot spots (London, Paris, etc.).  I want to go to other cities that would be more difficult to return to any time soon.  Here are the top six places I want to travel to while I am studying abroad!

Barcelona // Spain

Ever since I did a school report on Barcelona in 8th grade I have wanted to travel to this beautiful city.  One of my good friends is studying abroad in Spain so I hope to be able to meet up with her and visit this amazing city.  This is definitely the number one on my list to visit.

Santorini // Greece

The blue and white views get me every time I see a photo of Greece.  Did anyone else follow along as Julia (from Gal Meets Glam) and her husband traveled throughout Greece?  Oh man did my wanderlust skyrocket.  The island looks stunning and unlike anywhere I have ever been.  Please mom can I go? haha  Also, I just really want to be Lena from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and meet a amazing Greek man and explore the city together and swim in the ocean and fall in love... is that really too much to ask for? 

Nice // France

I've been to Paris and loved it.  And while I would honestly go back there in a heartbeat, I want to go somewhere else in France.  And I mean, who doesn't want to travel to the French Riviera?  This seems like the perfect getaway from the chilly Scotland fall I predict I am going to have.  Beach please?

Budapest // Hungary

From all of my friends who have gone abroad, they say Budapest is stunning.  I've never really considered a trip to Hungary in my future but I love that fact.  Its somewhere I would never really think of going to but could be totally amazing.  It seems more authentically European and it would be a major step outside my comfort zone.

Venice // Italy

I have always loved the idea of a city built on water with canals as the roadways.  It just seems so magical and fairytale desk does it not?  While I feel like Rome is the go-to for the abroad traveler, I think Venice is way more my style and my dad and sister who have both been, say that Venice is the best Italian city!  Also, can you tell I want to travel anywhere where there is beautiful water views?

Oslo // Norway

Being part Norwegian, I want to go to Norway to visit my people.  I don't have any relatives there but I just want to see where I come from - and reconnect myself with my fellow blonde hair, blue eyed kind!  haha.  No but in all seriousness, whenever people ask me about my ethnicity I always say "I'm part Norwegian" but don't know too much about the country.  I want to be able to say that statement with pride and with knowledge of the country itself.

If you have ever studied abroad or been overseas, where were some of your favorite cities?  Also, if you have any study abroad tips for me please share because right now I am a blank canvas!

Images via here and here

The color mint and I have always been inseparable.  My preschool teacher told my mom it was "my color" and ever since then it has been one of my favorite colors of all time.  It might be because my mom would always dress me in mint after that but still its just so dang pretty.  Thats the one part about summertime that I love - mint is a color that can officially be worn proudly and almost every day.  This sweater from Gap has been on repeat like no ones business.  I love the way mint looks with white and I actually loved the way this minty green looked with the light blue specs on the Madewell skirt (#mintisthenewblack).

This paper bag style is one of my new favorites because it is honestly so comfortable and it has pockets (a.k.a. the best thing in the entire world!).  The skirt and top are both old but its the color combo that I love so much!  Plus the pink flowers in the background are just too perfect!

Nothing is worse than taking a week off for vacation for it to rain every day.  And while I have yet to take a trip to the lake or the pool, I have gotten some amazing reading done cuddled up with a cup of green tea.  I just finished an amazing series that my brother recommended to me and now I want to share it all with you.

The first book in the trilogy, The Magicians, came out in 2010, the second, The Magician King, in 2012, and the third and final, The Magician's Land, in 2014.  I hadn't heard anything about the series until my brother started reading it and he lent the books to me after he had finished.  It is one of those things though where you have never heard of the word but then start hearing it everywhere.  Because now when I walk around I see this book in every window and shelf.

If I could give the briefest summary of the series I would say it is the perfect combination of Harry Potter meets Narnia.  Basically, just imagine if Harry Potter went to college and then on to Narnia.  It definitely refers to these two series, poking some fun and making jokes, but it never felt uninventive.  Unlike the other two, this series is definitely meant for adults as there are quite a few graphic scenes and intense subject areas.  I thought it would be hard to create something new because when it comes this genre it feels almost "been there, done that" but this series brought a new fresh feel.

Unlike many series (ahem Hunger Games I am looking at you!) this series only got better with each addition.  I would have to say that the first book is probably my least favorite.  That by no means makes it bad because it is still amazing, but it is a necessary means.  You have to make your way through the first book, get the gritty details and learn the basics before you can dive head first into the mysteries and magic that intertwine in the second and third books.  And don't let the character's "jerk-ish" tendencies deter you from reading the next one!  I would recommend reading the series straight through if you can.

I will leave you with the best summary I could find off Amazon for the first book only as I don't want to give anything away: Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A high school math genius, he’s secretly fascinated with a series of children’s fantasy novels set in a magical land called Fillory, and real life is disappointing by comparison. When Quentin is unexpectedly admitted to an elite, secret college of magic, it looks like his wildest dreams may have come true. But his newfound powers lead him down a rabbit hole of hedonism and disillusionment, and ultimately to the dark secret behind the story of Fillory. The land of his childhood fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he ever could have imagined . . .

When I finished the book everything I had questions about perfectly fell into line and it was totally resolved but I still wanted a fourth book.  I didn't want the story to be over because I had fallen so in love with the characters - the sign of a perfect series!

With my 21st birthday coming up in mid September I have been thinking about things I want and thought it would actually make a great post.  Not only are a few of these on my list (*cough* Olivia Pope wine glasses *cough*) but I think they would make great birthday presents for any girl.  I included things ranging from fairly cheap to more expensive and items for various age ranges.  Enjoy!

POLAROID // We have returned to the phase where physical copies of photos are much better than their digital counterparts.  We like the vintage feel of polaroids the hipster vibe.  There is just something about getting the photo instantly after taking it and getting to immediately hang it on your wall.

NAILPOLISH // This is a super simple gift and perfect for almost every girl.  Pick out a few of her favorite colors and tie them off if a cute bag and you are good to go.  You could even make a DIY "At home manicure set" for her!

ON - THE - GO CHARGER // A true necessity for a girl on the go, a student, or a travel fanatic.  I love the gold spots and this one and almost wish I owned it.  I have a travel charger and boy of boy has that things saved my life numerous times.

WATERBOTTLE // Whether they be outdoorsy, athletic, or just someone who likes to drink water (or any beverage really) on the regular a nice water bottle is always a great option.  Some of the stainless steel ones can get pretty up there but boy do they keep a beverage cold for hours on end.

MUG // For the coffee and tea lover mugs are an addiction.  I collect the "Around the world" Starbucks mugs but really all mugs are just the cutest things ever.  I freaking love the classic Anthropology initial mug too.

DIAMOND EARRINGS // Every girl should have a simple pair of diamond stud earrings because they look good on every occasion with every outfit.  Again, these can vary in price but I love the size of these Kate Spade ones.  If you can't decide on the perfect earring pair I think any form of jewelry is such a perfect birthday gift!

BODY WASH AND LOTION // This is a harder one to buy for someone as scents are very specific but I love the idea of making a spa time gift (like the manicure set above) for someone.  I think it would be so cute to add a magazine, a loofa, and even some bath salts to a basket.

STATIONARY // Once again, a staple that every girl should have.  I love sending handwritten notes to people because I think its way more personal than an email or text.  Plus, whoever you send them to can then use them as decoration (I know I do!).  Whether it be an adorable monogram or a simple floral pattern this is classic gift your bestie can use for any occasion.

WINE GLASSES // Obviously this one is for those 21+.  I love the idea of buying monogrammed or decorated ones from Etsy as well!  Depending on your friend's favorite beverage, you could opt for martini glasses or champagne flutes to celebrate her big day.  I would opt for the Olivia Pope wine glass because... uhm... well... Olivia Pope.

PICTURE FRAME // This is a gift that I usually give all my friends and have been doing ever since I was a little kid.  You basically buy a chic frame and insert a photo of you and your bestie together in it.  This way they get the gift and a reminder of an amazing memory.

PAJAMAS // Whether it be college sweats or this adorable seersucker set, pajamas are something people rarely buy for themselves because they kind of get lost behind all the other cute clothes.  But hey pajamas can be cute!  So why not buy a cute pair for your bestie with maybe even some comfy slippers or a fuzzy blanket.

CANDLE // This is another tricky one and should only be done if you know what scents your friend likes.  I just bought a nice candle for my friend's birthday because I knew how addicted she was to the color aqua as well as anything ocean scented.  She loved it!

HEADPHONES // For the techie who also loves some bling.  I've been eyeing these headphones for the longest time and really want them for when I go abroad!  While they are the most expensive item I think they would make the perfect item for a few people split.  These are something that every time she wears them she will think of you.