Humpday: Let's GO to the Beach

As I'm packing for my trip to Barcelona for the upcoming Easter weekend, I couldn't help but think of what's on my agenda. Aside from checking out La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Las Ramblas, I'm planning on heading to the beach with the girls! Naturally, this called for a beach bumming' playlist (here it is on 8tracks).

My Love Feat. Jess Glynne – Route 94

Let's Go Home (Sound Remedy Remix) – Carousel

I Want You – ODESZA
Puppy – Netsky

Tropical Sun – Flume

Summer – Calvin Harris

Moments – Giraffage
Lover's Carvings (Haugli's Mix) – Bibo

Emkay – Bonobo

Say My Name (Cyril Hahn Remix)- Destiny's Child
Potato – YYSHIDD

Ready For Your Love Feat. MNEK – Gorgon City
Epsilon – Kygo

Sun Models Feat. Madelyn Grant – ODESZA

Trials of the Past – SBTRKT
Sexual Healing (Kygo Remix) – Marvin Gaye

Star Eyes – Flume

F For You Feat. Mary J. Blige – Disclosure

I'm God – Clams Casino

Hawaii (Niva Remix) – Blackbird Blackbird
Paint Me Like a French Girl Feat. the Glitchfox (Max Manie & Scheinizzl Remix) – Breakdlaw
 Lost and Found (ODESZA Remix) – Pretty Lights

Enjoy this gorgeous and incredibly sunny humpday!
xx

Chianti

I've been a bad blogger, I realize. This is now two weeks overdue, but this post is from my trip to Florence a few weekends back. Kiara, Anjali, and I somehow made it to the train station by 7:30 on a Saturday morning to catch the coach to Chianti for a day of sun and wine tasting. We couldn't have asked for a sunnier day, which accompanied our three hour hike perfectly.

 

The wine is primarily made with sangiovese grapes; as it gets older, it develops garnet hues and a dry, full flavor. The first signs of growth after winter appear in the spring, in which, the young vine must be protected against until the early summer. Picking of the grapes usually begins in September or October in the northern hemisphere and in February and March in the sourthern hemisphere. 

an old olive crusher

because why wouldn't this be your mailbox if you lived in Chianti?

 

We sampled three different types of red wine; the first, Chianti classico, was my preference since it was paired so nicely with the fresh salami and prosciutto. 

xx

Florence

Two Friday's ago I took the train to Florence to visit one of my best friends, Anjali, who is studying in the small Tuscan city this semester. Not only is Florence one of my favorite spots in Italy, but another bonus was seeing not one, but two, of my closest friends from home. Kiara, also came over to Florence after spending a week in Barcelona for her spring break. Being reunited with these two was just how it always is…silly and good fun. We tackled the Duomo, the Bell Tower, and the Baptistry the first day. Some 800 plus steps later, it was time for dinner where we discussed our plans for the next day, which consisted of wine tasting in Chianti. But here are some shots from our stay in the charming little city of Florence.

Sunday we headed to one of Anjali's favorite spots for a panino...a small, yet delicious hole in the wall that served up fresh tuscan meats on crunchy baguettes. Afterward we were off to the Ufizzi Gallery to see their impressive collection (some biggies are Leonardo's Annunciation, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, Michelangelo's Doni Madonna, and Caravaggio's Bacchus and Head of Medusa). Then it was time to enjoy some sun and gelato in the Boboli gardens. 

After our leisurely time spent in the sun making daisy crowns, we headed over to Santo Spirito for our last meal together. Anjali had been raving about this one place that's known for their truffled gnocchi so of course, I had to give it a try. Wow oh wow is all I can say. Cheesy, truffle-y potato heaven.

Kiara was just a tad too excited about letting me try her pasta! 

One last close up of this bad boy. If you're in Florence, this is a must.

After dinner we walked around the Duomo enjoying yet another beautiful night in Florence before I left Monday morning for Roma. 

xx