I Know I Will Hear What I've Heard Before...

It’s been the happiest sound for 50 years now. (50 years and 2 days, I know I’m late on here). I know that I’ve already commemorated The Sound of Music on here once, but it’s worth all the mentions in the world. 

Although it has only been in my life for nearly 15 years, its influence feels like that of its full fifty. The story, the music, the characters, Salzburg… all of them have left an impression on me that I will carry with me every day for the rest of my life. 

I suppose the “very good place to start” would be with Maria herself - the original. This charismatic woman reluctantly, yet dutifully, found her place with the von Trapps at 21, and made that place permanent at 22. Somehow, once I was old enough to realize that the von Trapps were real and Julie Andrews was amazingly the same person as Mary Poppins, I began to slowly but surely acquire every speck of information I could on Maria and her family. And it never ceases to fascinate me. I read, collected, saw, imagined, and I entertained the image I had of this family and their every day feats and adventures. 

I have to show off one of my "favorite things." My mother got this for me for Christmas a while back: a signed copy of Maria von Trapp's 1972 autobiography Maria, My Own Story. 

And my “very good place to start” is with my own “something good,” my mother. For my fifth birthday, she got me the movie and I remember sitting, looking at the back of the VHS case while waiting for it to start, and arguing with her over whether or not there were 8 children because I was looking at the children and Maria on the fountain in Mirabell Gardens. But we watched, I was assured that there were 7 children, and it ended. And from the moment it ended, I wanted to watch it over again. And again. And again. 

And I have never ceased wanting to watch it over again. 

And, of course, I’ve been brought to the most beautiful place on Earth. Besides excitement and anticipation, keeping my eyes peeled for landmarks, while I was in Salzburg I discovered an air of astonishment. It wasn’t the same sense of wonderment and curiosity that I have when I go someplace new. I was simply comfortable, in a place that has simply always been a part of me. Because in a sense, it was. I’ve been there countless times before and then, being physically there, is no different. Oh, Nonnberg? It’s up the hill, overlooking Residenzplatz where it’s been for centuries. I see it everyday. Everything is exactly where it should be, and I was where I should be. It was utterly remarkable. 

 

Emotions ran high in two places: the first, when we got to our room at the von Trapp Villa, and second, when we were in Mondsee Cathedral. Our room was the junior suite, on the third floor, which had been the Captain and Maria’s room after their bank failed and the family moved onto the third floor. I was sitting in the window sill, facing the back of the house and it washed over me that I was there, in that house, seeing what they saw. The mountains framed the trees and lawns, and I knew that I was in the most special place on earth and my heart would always stay there.

Then, while on The Sound of Music Tour (the best 4 hours of my life, mind you), I got a little emotional while we were in Mondsee Cathedral. The magnificent grace and beauty of it all came over me and it just had to surface somehow. 

Well, I’ll be honest, I love the whole thing. But I suppose I love these parts more than others. “Do-Re-Mi” evokes a little nostalgia now because it brings me back to all of those places, and some of the best orchestrations in the score make it all the more remarkable. “The Lonely Goatherd” is just a fun song to listen to and a little amusing and even when I listen to it alone, I can hear Christopher Plummer’s laugh finishing it off. “The Landler”… come on. It’s one of the most intimately charged moments in film history. The looks, their eyes. It’s just perfection. And finally, “Something Good” and “The Wedding,” they’re the climax of the whole movie’s budding romance. What you’ve waited two hours for. I love to watch the gesture I know are coming, the regal trip down the aisle. Each and every second makes my heart stop. 

I unashamedly believe that they are one of the greatest couples in history. I’ll stop to let you know that I am very much aware of the true circumstances and feelings surrounding the real marriage of the von Trapps. But, that doesn’t waver my fascination with the true story, nor my romanticized hope for the movie’s version of the story. The true story’s dynamics and feelings interest me to no end. Their elements coming together and what we know about that only scratches the surface and their story is one that is ever-lasting.

We need a little Christopher Plummer appreciation… or a lot. He was easily my first crush and even now, he’s devastatingly handsome. Our Captain can melt our hearts with a wicked half smile, a small gesture of kindness, or a smart remark. Indescribable perfection. 

The Lord opened a window for me to find the greatest inspiration and look up to the most beautiful and remarkable woman in my life… Julie Andrews. I can never be thankful enough for this woman. She inspires me everyday and has helped me keep going when I didn’t think I could take a step further. She is all that one can be and more and I couldn’t be happier to have her to look up to. My deep gratitude, admiration, and respect for one of the most hardworking, beautiful women we have in this world, can never be expressed. Fifty years have gone by, and I will always be indebted to Dame Julie Andrews for her portrayals of her characters and, more importantly, herself. I’d like to thank her for always being there. 

I don’t know where or who I’d be without this movie, this family, or Julie Andrews. They have brought me back up when I lost all sense of keeping myself going. 

Here’s a commemoration and heartfelt thank you to The Sound of Music’s fifty years. 

Here’s to 50 more. 

New Year, Same Blog...

Well, I'm back. It's been a long, long time, but I figured that it was high time I got back into the swing of my blog. I loved it and miss it, so here we go again. I'm not going to promise to adhere to a schedule, because I know I never will, but I'm going to ease back into this...

Anyways, here's what's happening...

It's a new year, so that means new schedules, rituals, and the biggest word of all, resolutions. It's a scary word because it's extremely hard for some of us to meet the big ones and keep up with the smaller ones. I knew going into this year that a lot of things were going to have to change, get better, or that I was looking forward to starting some new things. So, I was thinking of starting by sharing some of them, and snowballing off of this in the future...

1. Facial Routines

It's always super hard to maintain something that's easy, and healthy, and that works for you. I have been through remedies, wipes, lotions, and either they're too harsh for me or too harsh together, or something. And when there's so much to remember, it's hard to maintain. 

2. Books

I have a problem. I buy more books than I read. It has been ordained as such ever since elementary school book orders when I would need everything. Then the book fairs would come, and I'd need everything there. Enter Barnes and Noble into my life. Finally Amazon Prime... It's a literary slippery slope. But a slippery slope nonetheless. My justification is that one day, I'll have floor-to-ceiling book shelves along my walls and I won't have to wait too long to fill them. It's the same with all of my coffee table books... I have no table, but one day I will... But those are another story. 

Anyways, I have an abundance of books that I would like to get to, so I'd like to share some of those with you here.

(There's more tucked away and around the house.)

3. Abs/Plank Challenges

It's pretty common to have something health/gym/work-out related on a resolution list. My mother and I have started boxing lessons at our gym, and it is amazing! To coincide with that and working out a little more, I decided to participate in the 30 Plank and Ab Challenges. They make all the difference in the world by the end, or only a little difference, but either way, it will be an accomplishment to get through them. 

4. Write 

I've come to find over the years that I love to write. When I was little I would write Maria von Trapp's biography over and over again. Stories about Lizzie McGuire. I rewrote Cinderella once. I think that then I just liked to come up with stories, but only ones that drew from what I already knew. I later found that journaling and writing out my thoughts helped me through some of the most confusing times of my life. They didn't sort out my problems, but they put into words what I was feeling and made that real. I can now look back on them and read through what I was going through... And thank God that I got through it. 

I want to definitely continue to journal, in new and old ways, and write new things. Besides my thoughts, I want to write down my past, someone else's present, or even the future. It may never get anywhere, but I'll have it to treasure. 

5. Travel

This may be far-fetched. I don't know where I want to go, but it's high-time that I take off. I may travel for fun or travel figuratively into something new. But right now, I'm stable, and I'm going stir-crazy. We might drive to California, which would be amazing, I want to go back to New York. More than anything, though, I want to go back to Europe. Or at least start to plan another trip back there for the foreseeable future. Paris, London, Salzburg again, we'll see where it leads. 

Warmth, crowded beaches, rich history in the air, and food, glorious food -- That's amore.

(Left, Center, Right)
Louvre (Paris), Amalfi (Italy), Clams and Spaghetti (the best of Italy)






6. Bullet-Journaling

Finally, besides my usual journaling, I have been seeing/reading about Bullet Journaling for a while, and have finally decided to try it. I need to work on being more organized, getting more done, more effectively - getting my ideas down, writing out my day, and being able to go back and see what I thought. So, I'll see how it goes, and I'll let you all know how it's going.


No one knows what the year will bring. It will have gains, losses, and discoveries, because what's a year without a little of everything?

You Crabbed Me At Hello!

Feeling crabby? 

Nothing like this shirt to show the world how you felt... and fix it right up! I'm adding it right on top of my list of summer must-haves. 

Crabby Tee (Here); Seersucker shorts (similar) 

Here's a real topper!

I wouldn't have left Italy last summer, until I got one of these hats. It's my buddy and I'm so happy to be able to spend the entire summer with it this year! Everyone had one and they are something so simply practical. It goes with a basic outfit like this, to just be out and about! But I'll be honest... I put this hat on with just about anything! 

Here is one that is nearly the same, from J.Crew.  

More to come.

Lots of love!

xoxo. 

Oh, What the Shell!

It's been a while, and I apologize for that!

I took the high road, and strongly finished off the semester, but now I'm here to share my summer experiences, outfits, thoughts, and tag-alongs with you! 

Scalloped Sunday!

Biggest piece of news: this is a picture from this afternoon of one of J. Crew's newest employees! 

(I know right. Too exciting!)

I'm sporting the Factory's "Scalloped Shift Dress" (here), paired with a layered strand of pearls (similar), along with a pair of J. Crew statement earrings (their earrings - just the page, they don't have those ones anymore).

Outside of work, I hope to do a lot for the summer, and can't wait to let you see some of it! I'll do my usual outfit posts, but throw in some other tidbits that really tie my days together (what I read, listen to, see). Plus, a few days ago was the 3 month mark before I move into my University full-time in September. So, I hope I'll get to share some of the journey there as well!! 

In the meantime... 

Here's a purchase from a while back! Those are the same earrings from the last picture, which they don't have anymore. The necklace is another piece they don't have anymore, but here are their newer necklaces, and sale ones. The shirt I got on sale, and isn't there either (so sorry about the catch-up pieces), but this is another "Slouchy" striped shirt that they have now, which is just as great! 

My Chum! (On the right, of course!)

She's home and we're better than ever! 

This is us on Memorial Day, at my family's party. My blouse is a Banana Republic Sleeveless Non-Iron, which is a fantastic purchase, if you're looking for a great-fitting, handy summer blouse. (Similar, similar) The skirt is (shocking, I know!) J. Crew Factory, which they don't have online anymore. I only got it about 2 weeks ago, so hopefully, if you live near a Factory outlet, they may still have it in the store! There really isn't much that's familiar online either. 

On my head there are my handy-dandy "Sunnies," which are TOMS "Phoenix Tortoise."  Aside from Ray-Bans, I would say that these were just as valuable of a purchase and am in love with them all year round! 

Well, that's that for now! 

I'm looking forward to a fantastic summer with you all! 

I'll be back sooner than usual! :) 

Empire State of Mind

Well, it's that time of year again. 

Many people flock down to the Bahamas, Mexico or Florida for cherished Spring Break, but I prefer the vice of something a little more northern... New York City. The crowds, sidewalks, and beloved destinations all make me feel like one in a million - on top of my game, yet blended in, all at once. 

I went with my mother, who has become my built-in travel buddy over the years, for a long weekend to get away and gallivant since we hadn't since our summer European excursions. I actually didn't take a ton of pictures because I do my best to not stop and put on the "Tourist Blinkers" unless completely necessary or there's not a lot of people around (which there usually is). 

So, we arrived on Friday afternoon and pretty much used that time to check into the hotel, walk around, and eat. We strolled through Rockefeller Center, down Fifth, and passed the Library. Manhattan is enough to lift spirits any day. 

Saturday we ventured off towards Brighton Beach because of their Russian community, and my dad is Ukrainian. He wanted us to get some things for him, such as Russian movies that they sell there on the American DVD system that you can't really find in too many more places. It may not sound like a lot, but with me and my mom, it took from late morning to mid-afternoon to find exactly where we needed to go. Haha. 

After that, we went back to around our hotel because it was close to Rockefeller Center and all of that good shopping and got to go through and do some shopping because the day before it was too late to really do any. But Saturday night was really to die for... 

Yes, yes. This is Jeremy Hays, who is currently playing "Raoul" in Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theatre. If you're looking for visual, audible, emotional perfection... this is it. I've waited 18 years to see Phantom on stage and I'm so lucky that that first time I did was on Broadway with such an amazing cast. And it was Andrew Lloyd Webber's birthday. And the theatre that Camelot premiered in with Julie Andrews and Richard Burton. So if that wasn't icing on the cake, I don't know what was. 

The show itself... Spectacular. I can't put my finger on how to completely describe it, because that word doesn't even do it justice. From the first to last notes, as the chandelier rose and fell, I had a lump in my throat. It was absolutely perfect. I wish I could write more about it, but there's too much to say, and too little words to do it. 

The stage, before it began. 

The chandelier, during intermission. No picture I took could do it justice or come out clear, anyways. 

("Masquerade" is my favorite part of Phantom and I have to say it's even better to see in person)!!

Well with the aftershocks of seeing Phantom (and meeting Raoul afterwards) slowing ebbing away, we went to Carnegie Deli afterwards and I can't even believe how big that sandwich was. All I had was a BLT and it had a week's worth of bacon in it. So, if anyone decides to go there, don't eat for a few days before you do. It's huge. 

Anyways, Sunday was SoHo day. More shops, but not a lot of time. Not my favorite combo. Haha. But, besides the surprise of Phantom, what I was most looking forward to in New York was Ladurée. Now, if you don't know what this is, it's divine! Haha. But really, though, it's a famous Maison de Macarons from Paris with the most delicious macrons, pastries, cakes... you name it, they have it and outdo anything you've ever tasted. The shop's houses in Paris were among the first tea houses for females, modeling the ever-changing world around them.

Also, if you've ever seen the 2006 Biopic Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst (which is great, by the way. It's tied with Amadeus in place for my #3 movie) and is directed by Sophia Coppola (who can make a fabulous movie out of just about anything), and you've thought "Wow! I want to gorge myself in cake and sweets like Marie Antoinette!" And have wondered how to do so... Ladurée is your answer. Coppola gave the designer of the film a box of their famed macarons, becoming the color concept for the film. They also produced all of the treats you see throughout the film. Imagine being surrounded by that all. day. long. 

But I digress... In America, they have tea houses in Soho and on Madison Ave., so of course, I had to go. Just amazing. Très D élicieux. 

P.S. Try to get an invite to my wedding in about 20 years. Ladurée will without a doubt be served there.

The macarons I got to take back with me. Marie-Antoinette, Petale de Rose, Chocolat, et Caramel à la  fleur de sel. 

Crowded shot of the front of the shop, but everything is so pretty, n'est pas?

Well, since Ladurée was the peak of our Soho trip, we moved on from there to Little Italy. We met up with our cousin who I have never met and my mom hadn't seen in over twenty years. He was awesome! We all talked and talked about our family, his career teaching Italian in New York, etc. It was nice to meet him at all, besides the fact that we got to be with a part of our family that is on the same wavelength as us (i.e. not the crazy one), which we don't get very often!

Finally, (I know. Such a sad word.) we ventured out with my friend Patsy and her parents. She came to stay with us quite a few years back for a summer intensive at my ballet studio (I used to dance heavily for years, but that's a story for another day). Anyways, we've all kept in touch and this week she turned 21, so her parents took her to New York as well! She is another person who we hadn't seen in a long time so it was great to be with her bundle of energy as well!!

Me (left) and Patsy!

All good things must come to an end... But I'll leave you all with this very cute picture from this trip's beginning.

Because everyone needs to have a road selfie. 

A Very Good Place To Start...

I'm not sure if you heard, but this lady, the last surviving child of the original seven von Trapp children, died at 99 a few weeks ago. Maria was third of the Captain's seven eldest and was the one who Maria, her eventual step mother, entered their household to tutor. She was the last to pass on to her parents and brothers and sisters, survived by her father and step-mother's three children and the family's continuing generations beyond that. 

Why am I sharing this with you all?

Well, I feel that I should because of what this meant to me. This family and the story that survives them all will always be alive in my heart and has shaped my life since my mother bought me "The Sound of Music" for my fifth birthday. And when I found out about Maria's recent death, I was deeply saddened by the close of an era that was the beginning of a new one for many, including me. 

I'll always be comforted to know that their story, whether in the movie or the elder Maria or Agathe's books or simply in my head, will always be there for me. And I wanted to share that with you. My love for this family. I can't get too into it, because it's indescribable, and I don't like to be obnoxious in my obsessions, as it may come off as crazy (haha) but I promise you, this isn't like that.

In short, to understand better something that I love, it's The Sound of Music and the von Trapp's, so I thought that I would ease into sharing my trip to Salzburg with you because as you can imagine, it is my favorite place in the world. I've only been there once to date, as a part of my trip to Europe with my mom for graduation, but it wasn't like the first time you go somewhere and everything is so new. I felt as though I had been there all my life because in a way, I had. It was beautiful, historic, rich in culture, friendly... And my heart will always be held there.

Here is where it actually began, and we thankfully got to stay... The real "Villa Trapp" in Aigen, which is just outside of Salzburg. Can you believe it? We actually got to stay in Maria and Georg's bedroom from when the family relocated to the third floor bedrooms. (Confession: when I first got to the room and was sitting in the windowsill, letting it all sink in, I bawled my eyes out) The Villa itself and the landscapes surrounding it were gorgeous and I can't wait to return again and again!

The next exciting thing was The Sound of Music Tour that we went on. Fun, fun, fun!!! (I can assure you I was the first one on that bus)! This took us in and around Salzburg, through the mountains, to Mondsee (a little town where the wedding's cathedral was filmed) and back again. We listened to some of the soundtrack on the bus and everything!

Leopoldskron Palace. Used for the back of the movie's Villa.

Mommy and Me :)

The Gazebo. A must of course. It unfortunately cannot be entered by tourists anymore due to an older lady who decided to dance like Liesl and broke her hip on one of the tours. How silly!

Mondsee Cathedral. Where the wedding scene was filmed, also another place where I cried.

(Not very good quality, sorry! Much more beautiful in person!)

Outside of the tour, we visited a few other places...

Mirabell Gardens. Of course, where "Do Re Mi" was filmed. Absolutely beautiful. I always get teary-eyed listening to it now because I have flashbacks to where they were.

Residenz Square/Fountain. The fountain from "I Have Confidence" (of course I splashed the water) and there are the horse-drawn carriages trotting around the square as well, like the ones ridden by the children and Maria during "Do Re Me."

Here's some miscellaneous pictures, including the Mozart Footbridge, his Birthplace, one of the many side streets containing beautiful shops, some traditional, others high-end shopping. Also a view of Hohensalzburg fortress, which overlooks the city, nestled nearly beside Nonnberg Abbey where Maria had come from before arriving at the von Trapp Villa.

And finally, no city in Europe is complete without their own delicacies and scrumptious surprises. Mine were found in these decadent desserts, adorned with Mozart Liqueur, unlike anything you've ever tasted!

Well, there is my trip down memory lane and your trip along with mine to Salzburg. It really is such a remarkable place to me. I'm very lucky to have found that special place that holds my heart. I know that it will always be there for me to return to, to feel at home. And it's all because the von Trapp's shared their remarkable story with the world and it will be there forever, for all of us to share with whoever we so choose to. I'm sharing with you, as I will with my family and friends (pretty much anyone who will listen haha). I will always be thankful for this story, the family, and this fantastic place for being a part of my life...