Been around the world and I - I - I

So as I said in my last post I just recently returned to reality from my stupid awesome month long trip to Amsterdam. Why Amsterdam you ask, well aside from it being scenically beautiful and completely amazing, the love of my life happens to live there and we do the whole long distance thing from Toronto to Amsterdam. It has its tough points (the whole ocean apart thing, for one) but so far it's been pretty awesome, aside from him being one of the best things that has happened to me, our love also takes us to amazing places we've never been before. I've been to Amsterdam, Paris, London, Spain, New York and who knows if I would have traveled to these places had it not been for my relationship. Love and travel? What could be better.

This trip was the best to date, it was like my graduation present to myself, three and a half weeks in Amsterdam, a trip to London and another trip to Barcelona. I'll split up the trip posts, and start off this wanderlust fiesta with Barcelona, Spain. So the best way to see Barcelona if you only have 2 days is by motor scooter, how me and my boyfriend managed to rent a scooter with no international license or European license is beyond me *cue chamilionaire's ridin dirty*, but we did it and let me tell you I was scared for my life on the back of that scooter. However I got to see everything, we got everywhere super fast and it was surprisingly cheap! Also having a friend that lives there is a great help too (Hey Claire boo). The one thing I expected from Barcelona was nice weather and beautiful beaches, and boy did I not get any of that lol it was cold most of our trip and the one time we went to the beach there was what seemed to be a category 4 hurricane and an intense sand storm -_- .... I'm sorry was I complaining?

We checked out as much as we could, the most memorable and important sites to check out when you're in Barcelona are any or all of Antoni Gaudi's surrealist architectural masterpieces. We visted the infamous Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, and the Park Guell. Antoni Gaudi must have been on something, cause all of his works are like something someone on mushrooms would describe to you. If Barcelona wasn't on your bucket list, after these pics...it should be, if not for the warm weather and nice beaches, then definitely for Gaudi. Without further adieu, my captures of Barcelona.
 

La Sagrada Familia

La Pedrera

Hey Boyfriend

Park Guell

Wish I could post all my pictures, but you get the gist....pure awesomeness.

 -Nicole "take me back" Simmons

Milestones

So I just recently got back from an amazing month long trip to Europe (vaycay posts and pics to come) and not even a week later was my graduation. I wasn't really excited about it or thought much of the whole thing, but let me tell you it feels DAMN good to officially draw that chapter of my life to a close. Four long hard years of studying, tests, projects, stress, and fun times and the rewarding feeling of never having to do it again is (excuse my french) fucking fantastic. 

School takes up a shitload of our life, from age 6 to 23 I have been in school learning, for the most part haha, and just like that I'm finished. It's like I'm Django and I just got my free man papers, it's sooo liberating! Now comes the question of what now? I'm off to mold my life, I have to be a grown up....such a scary thought. Job, Car, House, Marriage, Kids? That's how it's supposed to go right? Nah fuck that, I'm not one for conventionality, it's time for me to let life actively happen to me. Meaning I'm going to enjoy these next few months and see where life takes me but never let life just happen to me, but wherever it takes me you best believe broke&living is going to be a huge part of it. Whatever happens I'm ready and willing, the future better bring it *pelvic thrusts*

Nicole - The Graduate

SENSIBLE FOOTWEAR

There was a time when you'd spend a good fraction of your pay cheque on a pair of kicks that were over priced, uncomfortable and more than likely half a size too small. Ah yes, the joys of being in high school. Gone are those days and now, being the young adult that you are it's only right that you buy shoes that meet your needs and are worth the investment. That's right homie, the Concords you just bought that squeeze your big toe and irritate your corns? Not worth it. 

Let me take this opportunity to introduce you to the Nike Roshe Run's. They've  been on the market for over a year but, I've only recently purchased these bad boys and let me say, I absolutely love them. The Roshe's are the epitome of simplicity, they're everything you need in a go-to sneaker. Features include full mesh up top which is great for  breathability and a Phylon midsole that's both lightweight and perfect for impact protection. In addition, the collar doubles as an ankle support and offers protection. The rubber outsole covers all your traction needs which makes this the  perfect sneaker to hit the gym or the track in.

If you're looking for a sneaker that offers arch support, comfort and is lightweight at an affordable price point, this is your shoe! If you spend majority of your day on your feet (that means all my nurses, servers, interns, and retail shorties) pick these sneakers up, they'll change your life! 

Nike waddap? 

-Mego 

THEME MUSIC THURSDAY

Doesn't James Blake look like one of the cashiers at Lavish & Squalor or is it just me? Anyway, while listening to his most recent album, I fell in love with Take a Fall for Me feat. RZA. You know that one song you keep pulling up before it even hits the chorus? This is it!

I heard through the grapevine that great love, it takes time

-Mego

SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME SOMETHING

        This pretty much sums it up,

          

       Read it one more time

       I apologize about the image quality

        .....not. Squint.

     

          -Mego 

Stranger danger?

Ladies and gentlemen we've been had, lied to, hoodwinked, bamboozled. By whom you may ask? Our very own parentals.. Remember all those times they told you not to talk to strangers? Hogwash! Talking to strangers has led me to an array of interesting characters from best friends, to mentors and everything else in between. Experiences, lessons, joys, pains all because of encounters with strangers. One of the many perks of working where I am right now is that my office is located right across from Bryant Park, so at lunch I usually find myself having a sandwich and a glass of OJ in the park doing some people watching and sight seeing. This time I met a young gentleman (stranger) who asked if I could spare 4 minutes of my time to complete a survey about perfumes. Me being in such a great mood that day I obliged. After completing the survey (which was accompanied by a series of props) I decided to make conversation with this stranger, now known as Tajh Rust. I come to find out that Perfume guy is actually responsible for creating incredibly beautiful contemporary art pieces. He's an artist! Like a real bonafied contemporary art genius..

I discovered an array of inspiration and talent just by making conversation with this stranger. One thing I love about this city is that you never know who you're going to run into and what they're capable of. This one certainly blew me away.

Please be sure to check out his work: iTRustArt 

Thank you for inspiring.

..............sorry mom.

- Char

#TBT Swim Good

Many moons ago (and by many moons I mean last summer) the team and I decided to make use of the pool and a couple of point and shoot cameras we had laying around. This was the outcome.

  - Mego

Suffering Succotash

I'm on the number 5 train going from Brooklyn to Manhattan and from the corner of my eye i see movement. Not the uncomfortable shift in the seat type movement, or the "let me move out of this guy's way before he yawns in my face with his hot breath again" maneuver, but a two step of some sort. I look over and it's the happiest man i've ever seen wearing an old school Daffy Duck shirt jamming to whatever flavour is banging in his ear. While everyone on the train sits quietly with an almost somber/nonchalant/unamused look on their faces, heading to work or wherever they go at 7AM, this one is JAMMIN. He seriously just said "f**** it this is my shii".

This puts things into perspective for me.. in life we have choices. We can choose to succumb to unhappiness and boredom or we can make the decision to change our perspective and just be happy. Find the good in every bad. Don't worry be happy. (insert another cliche phrase here) Now i'm not saying you need to be doing the bachata everywhere you go...but like...smile once in a while you know?

- Char