new year's resolution

In 2012, because I was traveling a lot, had very little free time and also generally lazy, I ate out very often. This year, I wanted to cut that bad habit and start eating healthier (and save $$$), so my resolution is to cook more!

sausage and peppers dinner

spinach and strawberry smoothie. surprisingly so delicious!

So far I have been pretty good in keeping my new year's resolution...here's hoping this continues!

2012

so 2012 was probably the best year in a long time. i travelled to places i never imagined i would visit, worked in a place i love, finished grad school and just was generally happier than i was before!

2012 in pictures

highlights of 2012:

visiting Japan with my family

reunion/Andrew's bday in NYC

moving to Philly

going to Romania!

attending Delhi Couture week

london.

I am lowering my expectations for 2013, just because I can't imagine having a better year than this year. I guess I do have quite a lot to look forward to (such as going to Bermuda and getting a job lol), but right now I am just so thankful for what I have and what I accomplished so far.

Hope you all have a happy new year!!

moving back to america? holla.

After writing non-stop for what seemed like ages and moving all of my stuff from London, I am finally back in America!!

These past few weeks have been amazing-- catching up on my TV shows, eating great food, traveling and seeing friends and just relaxing in general.

One of the first things I wanted to do when I moved back was see my best friends from college! After spending four years together, it was so weird not to see them for over a year. My friend's birthday is on Halloween, which provided the best opportunity for a mini reunion. :)

Halloween 2012! Just hanging out with Prince Charming, Carmen Sandiego and a Bunny. nbd.

Two weeks ago I actually celebrated finishing my Masters with a sushi dinner with my family in New York City. The food was divine. My favorite part of visiting NYC? Seeing all the holiday decorations that are up!!!

Time Warner Center with such pretty decorations. These huge ornaments are actually part of a light show!

A post-dinner macchiato. #delish

The sis and I being tourists ;)

It's been a bit surreal to be back in America and sometimes I feel like it still hasn't dawned on me that I am not living in London anymore. However, it has been so much fun catching up and almost seems like I am on this super happy (extended lol) vacation. This thanksgiving I had so much to be thankful for-- the most important being closer to the people I care about the most. I can't wait to celebrate this holiday season with them! <3

thesis time?

I officially have no more excuses for not starting to write my thesis (or dissertation as the Brits call it). The only problem: I don't know where to start!

buried in books/articles/research. {ahhhh}

Actually, not knowing where to begin is not my only problem...London's beautiful weather is proving to be quite a distraction as well. With a looming deadline, I guess there is no more time to procrastinate (or enjoy the weather) and have forced myself to stay in this weekend, get over my jetlag from India and at least finish a few pages. Luckily I have provisions in the forms of neon post-its, dark chocolate, diet Coke, pita and hummus.

Wish me luck!!

packing to leave

Why does it seem vacation time flies by quicker than normal time? Also how was it possible I fit all of my clothes and shoes in my suitcase before? As you can tell, I am having major packing struggles and am dragging my feet, mostly because I don't want my vacation in Delhi to end. {and because I don't want to start writing my thesis!}

my current situation

I'm trying every tip and trick in the book: rolling clothes, wearing bulkier items (hello wool blazer I never once wore while in Delhi) and stuffing things into my shoes. Hopefully I manage to fit everything in and still manage to have just a teensy bit of room leftover for one more souvenir I have my eye on! I am seriously considering wearing 5 layers of clothing in 90F Delhi weather, just so I won't have to check-in my possibly overweight carry-on...

PS- I basically want all of the below. Is there such a thing as the TravelFairy?

suitcases

my first fashion show!

Delhi Couture Week is happening now and completely randomly (and LUCKILY!) my sister and I scored a pair of tickets! The show we saw was Ashima Leena, a couture line designed by sisters Ashima and Leena Singh. This was my first fashion show ever and was an experience I will always remember.

my ticket

cheesing for the iphone in our seats

i'm sorry the pics are such bad quality! her dress was so beautiful--i'll try to find a better photo online to show you

The runway of the show, complete with a fog machine, live music and pretty chandeliers

The show started about 30-40 minutes late, which is sort of expected in India (nothing ever happens on time), but once we walked in, both of us were super surprised to see our seats were in the second row! The beginning was somewhat like a Disneyland ride with instructions to "get ready for the show," strobe lights and fake fog everywhere and then this woman comes out and begins singing. Someone said her name was Zila Khan and she sang throughout the entire show. I'm sort of surprised she had the energy to sing for that long!

The fashion show took place in a hotel and post-show we decided to get food in a hotel restaurant. I guess the models were given free dinner in that particular restaurant, because almost all of them walked in and ate there. My sister and I spent too much time stealthily trying to see what the models ate (which primarily consisted of kiwi, cheese, and a random/tiny piece of chocolate or cake) and people watching all the show attendees who were dressed to the nines.

Such a random and interesting experience!

swimsuits

The sky in Delhi is a weird combination of sunny and hazy. Not quite the lounging-by-the-pool-in-the-Indian-sun I imagined, but I guess this will have to do... Here are some swimsuits that I will wear next time I am vacationing in an actually sunny place.

River Island coral swimsuit, $54 / Polka dot one piece swimsuit / La Perla underwire swimwear, $185 / Shimmi bandeau bikini / Monsoon tummy control bathing suit / Bikini Lab bikini swimwear / Clube Bossa bikini swimwear, $110 / Huit fringe bikini, $73 / Karen Millen bikini swimwear