- Spring Playlist -

 Victor Hugo once said, "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." I just love that quote, don't you? Because it's so true - music speaks things that our souls and hearts feel. It seduces our mind into thinking and coaxes our bodies into dancing. My love of music, is why I have decided to write a blogpost showcasing my ultimate Spring playlist. Since Winter has all the Christmas music to contend with, and Summer has all the cool summery jams (California Girls by Katy Perry...obviously), it seemed like Spring just needed a playlist. So here is my Spring playlist. Enjoy!

1. "Colors" by Laleh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH2yPTkOP9s 
This song is really cool because Laleh isn't a super well-known artist and her voice is very unique. It has an upbeat sound but the lyrics are deep. It's the perfect song to listen to when Winter is fading and Spring is causing all sorts of beautiful weather.


2. "Ophelia" by The Lumineers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTOC_q0NLTk 
I enjoy this particular tune for two reasons. The first reason I like this song is because I love the Luminneers. The second reason is because this song has a bouncy sort of feel. The piano is wonderful in it, and the music video is particularly enjoyable as well. The song makes me think of flowers popping up in Spring.


3. "Bryn" by Vampire Weekend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpN5DuffebM 
I honestly don't have a reason for adding this to my Spring playlist. Perhaps it's because I love Vampire Weekend? Or maybe because it seems like a joyful, adventurous song. Whatever the reason, you must listen to it. It's rather wonderful.


4. "Electric Love" by BøRNS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYr96YYEaZY 
Ring by Spring, ever heard of it? Yeah, me too, all the time... Anyway, since all of the animals are getting all cozy and girls everywhere are getting engaged, this song seemed only fitting for the Spring playlist.


5. "Strawberry Swing" by Coldplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3pJZSTQqIg
In the Spring, all these wonderful flowers start blooming and things turn green again and fruit starts appearing every which way. Thinking of fruit sprouting up during Spring instantly made me think of this Coldplay song. It's the perfect Spring song for walking around and eating strawberries.

6. "Waste" by Foster the People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbEVzpdOlVg 
For those of you in the college world like me, finishing the next last weeks of school has been exponentially rough. What with the wonderful weather and my general exhaustion from all the homework and classes, it seems like this song is especially fitting. The main lyrics are, "and every day that you wanna waste, you can". How is that not fitting for a tired college student who would rather procrastinate in the Spring and enjoy the sun than do their homework?!


7. "Washed Out" by New Theory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v00RQms9QiM 
This song makes me think of Spring slowly coming to an end and Summer appearing in the (hopefully) near future. It's got a very unique sound to it, and it's kind of relaxing but still upbeat all at the same time.


8. "Sunlight" by Bag Raiders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSVbz4sdcjQ 
Since Winter is starting to finally disappear and we are in the middle of Spring, this song seems only fitting. It's all about sunlight, something which I am glad the end of March/beginning of April is finally bringing.


9. "Ocean Drive" by Duke Dumont
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CdEfL-XrSk 
I find this song good to listen to because it just reminds me of Spring break. Of Spring break romances and adventure and the beach and hope for the summer.


10. "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X_2IdybTV0 
There are a few reasons I chose to put this song on my Spring playlist. The first reason is that I'm obsessed with Supernatural, so I had to put this into my playlist. The second is because it's all about carrying on and staying strong. For those of us that are in college and struggling to get to the finish line, this is a good reminder that we just need to carry on; summer is coming.

11. "Punching in a Dream" by The Naked and Famous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfkL6h4nngs 
I just really love the Naked and Famous, so I had to include one of their songs on my Spring playlist, and this has always been one of my favorites. For some reason, it just says Spring to me.

12. "Polish Girl" by Neon Indian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo6ZaCTqxwM 
This song is very unique and tech-y sounding. It reminds me of going through the motions of Spring and looking towards the excitement and joy of Summer.

13. "Ottoman" by Vampire Weekend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz5E8GMQXZU 
I first heard this song on Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, so naturally I had to put it in my Spring playlist. I love the string instruments in this song, and it's very catchy.

14. "Daylight" by Matt and Kim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCejeGRR1L4 
Okay, so one of the main reasons I had to include this song in my Spring playlist is because it's called "Daylight", which makes me think of Spring and warmer weather and sunshine and flowers. The guys that sing this song have unique and interesting voices, so it makes listening to the song fun. 

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Person Dealing with Chronic Illness

In the summer of 2015, I was diagnosed with Still's Disease, a rare autoimmnue disease that effects 1 in 100,000 people. It causes salmon colored rashes, daily fevers, severe arthritis, lowers your immune system, gives you a fast heart rate, causes pneumonia, as well as depression and anxiety. There are other symptoms for Still's Disease, but I only listed the main ones that are also the most common. I have been living with this autoimmune disease for the last 10 months, and over these months, I've heard a lot of comments from people who are not dealing with a chronic illness of their own. Because of this, I have decided to write this blogpost on things you should not say to a person who is dealing with a chronic illness. I will then address the best way you can encourage and support someone who has a chronic illness, such as Still's Disease. Here are my list of things you should never say to a person dealing with a chronic illness:

"But you look so great!"
Okay, this is one of the most frustrating things that can come out of a person's mouth. I understand that when you say it, you mean it as a compliment, but it doesn't always feel that way. Living with a chronic illness is difficult because the inside of our body is attacking itself, not always the outside. So while I may appear put together and cute on the outside, on the inside my immune system is failing, my body is attacking itself, my bones are deteriorating, my heart is moving too fast, and I'm struggling with constant anxiety and fevers and joint pain. Often times people with chronic illnesses put on a brave face, but on the inside we are battling constant pain and insecurities.


"But you're fine, right?"
We need to establish some rules when using the word "fine". When you say, "But you're fine, right?", it doesn't come off as a positive thing. Whenever a person asks me this question, my gut reaction is to say, "yes! I'm fine!" and pretend like everything is right with the world. But on the inside I'm fighting my own fears and pain and emotions. When a person with chronic illness says they're "fine", it doesn't actually mean we are fine. Often times I respond with saying that I'm okay, just because I don't want to appear whiny and annoying and depressing. That, and it gets tired having to repeat the same story over and over again.


"You don't look sick."
The thing about chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases, is that they're really good at hiding themselves. Aside from my daily fevers and salmon colored rash, the world wouldn't be able to notice that I was physically sick. Just because I don't look sick, doesn't mean I'm not. It's one of the hardest things for those of us that are dealing with chronic illness, to hear you say that we don't look sick, because it sounds like you're undermining our pain and sickness and frustration.


"You're too young to be sick."
I would like to take this time right now, to point out that nobody is ever too young to be sick. Chronic illness and sickness could happen to anyone, no matter how old or young they are. So please don't tell us if we're too young to be sick, because chronic illness doesn't have an age limit.


"Have you tried ______"
Pretty much every person I talk to asks me if I've tried _____. They've asked me if I've tried supplements or vitamins or different diets or natural methods or medicinal methods. Almost every time someone asks me how I'm doing and how things are going with my disease, they ask me if I've tried _____. I understand that when people ask me if I've tried some method they are asking about, that they are just trying to be helpful. But the problem is, almost always none of those methods will work. Because chronic illness isn't like a normal sickness that goes away after a week or two. It lingers, sometimes all of a person's life. The other part of this is, that if you aren't a medical professional or my doctor, then I probably won't try what you're suggesting. My doctors are doing everything in their power to keep my body up to speed and to prevent my disease from getting worse, so don't you think they're doing all they can? Yes, yes they are. Therefore, if they haven't suggested to me what you are suggesting, chances are, I most likely won't try it.

"You should get out more!"
Sometimes people express to me that they wished I would get out more. People get frustrated when I'm unable to show up to events or I can't drive some place to meet them or I can't attend a party or get together. The fact of the matter is, as much as I would love to get out more, I physically can't. I am either shackled to medications (daily injections) that have to be done at a certain time of the day, too tired, or in too much pain. Whenever someone tells me that I need to get out more, I feel depressed because I can't get out more, and it's out of my control. So please don't tell someone dealing with a chronic illness that they need to get out more, because mostly, it will just make them feel sad and depressed that they're unable to.

"You're just having a rough day."
I hate when people tell me that I'm just "having a rough day", when in all actuality, I'm having a rather good day. On a really bad day, it's hard to stay awake or get out of bed or walk normally. On a bad day, it's hard to get motivated to be happy and do regular chores and get cleaned up for the day. But on a good day, the illness is docile enough that I can get up and go about my day with my new sense of "normal". I can get up and get dressed and appear presentable and stay awake for the better part of my day. So if I am talking to you and discussing how I'm tired or my heart is racing fast or I'm feeling nauseous or my joints hurt, don't say I'm having a rough or a bad day. It's frustrating because I want people to recognize that I am pushing through the pain and the fatigue, and therefore, I am actually having a good day. Also, there is no "having a rough day", because most of the time it's having a rough few days, weeks, or even months.


"I know how you feel."
Unless you are a person who is also suffering from some sort of chronic disease or extreme sickness, you do not know how I feel. I know that you're trying to make me feel better and find some common ground, but it really isn't working. It also makes me feel like you're undermining my disease and not recognizing how hard it is living with it. Please, don't say you know how I feel, unless you are suffering and in the same situation I am.


"But you'll get better, right?"
Whenever people ask me if I'll get better, I find it hard to answer their question. First off, I wish that I could say I will get better, and I appreciate that you are being hopeful and positive for the future. But, I have to say that there is a big chance that I won't actually get better. Chronic illnesses can't be cured, they can only be halted. It's like pausing the disease or slowing it down; medicine can't actually take it away. There are some cases where chronic diseases can go into remission, but remission isn't always for sure and even if you do go into remission, many people will get the disease again, and it will be a violent cycle. So please don't ask me if I'll get better, because honestly, I don't know.


"Just stay positive."
I hear the whole "just stay positive" speech a lot from people. I realize that you are trying to encourage me, but it isn't really working that well. Instead, when you say "just be positive" or "keep your head up", it makes me feel like you're undermining my disease and also undermining all of the emotions I am feeling. Instead of telling someone who is dealing with a chronic illness to "stay positive", try empathizing with us instead. That will speak much grater volumes, than if you tell us to hang in there.


Those are my top ten things that you should never say to a person dealing with chronic illness. Now that I have given you my list of things not to say, I thought I should give you a list of things you should say and do. This way you are equipped in how you can best support them and help them through this difficult time.

Research their illness
I cannot stress this enough! The best thing you can do for someone suffering from a chronic illness, is research their illness. When my mom was diagnosed with Lupus and then later I was diagnosed with Still's Disease, we started researching our illnesses. After that, we wanted everyone else we knew to also research our sickness, so that they could best understand what we are dealing with. Not only that, but in an emergency situation, your friends will hopefully know how to act and handle you based on your chronic illness symptoms and problems.


"I believe you."
There were so many times that before I was diagnosed with Still's Disease, that I was wondering if I was actually crazy. I am so not the person to get stressed about getting sick, nor do I get sick that often, and I also used to never be tired. Like, ever. But after getting sick and going through the motions, the best thing that I could hear from my doctors and family (especially my mom), was that they believed me. They believed I was suffering and dealing with some sort of illness. That is the best thing you can say to a person when they are suffering from a chronic illness - that you believe them!


"Can we hangout at your place?"
Since going out is something that is harder on a person suffering with a chronic illness, offer to come over to their house and hangout. We still want to do something despite the fact that we are sick, and if you offer, chances are we will most likely say yes because we want to spend time with you and still have fun!


"You are so strong."
Battling a chronic illness is exhausting and can really put a strain on both your body and your emotions. One of my favorite things to hear from people, is that I'm strong. I love when people praise me for fighting this battle and trying my hardest to pull myself together. It helps me because they are recognizing that I am struggling, but they are commending me for the effort I am putting forth.


"I know how hard you're trying."
People struggling with auto immune diseases love hearing that you recognize how hard we are trying. It makes us feel empowered and encouraged that even though we are fighting an illness and constantly fatigued and in pain, that you recognize how we are attempting to put forth an effort and have a relatively "normal" life.


Bring them food or offer a helping hand
With a heart rate that is almost always over 120 bpm, I am constantly hungry, due to the fact that I am burning so many calories literally just doing nothing. So I love when people surprise me with food or something good to drink, because I am hungry all the time. Also, don't be afraid to offer a helping hand whenever you see a person with chronic illness struggling to do something. We are still getting used to the fact that we can't do all of the things we used to, so you might have to offer your help in order for us to realize that we actually need it. Not only that, but it shows us you care and you want to help us.

There you have it! My top ten things you should never say to a person dealing with chronic illness, followed by the top six best things you can say or do for a person suffering with chronic illness. I hope this opens your eyes to the world we live in and teaches you the best way to interact with those of us living with an autoimmune disease.

Why I Love Gravity Falls and Why You Should Too

For some weird reason unknown to man, as a twenty year old woman, I am somehow addicted to children's cartoons. Yes, I understand, it is weird, and I'm too old for that, right? Shouldn't I be watching Reign or Vampire Diaries or Grey's Anatomy or something? Probably, but I just can't. For some reason, I just love the goofiness and simplicity of children's cartoons. That, and I find the characters in cartoons, just a bit easier to love than the characters in young adult TV shows. One of my most favorite children's cartoon, is "Gravity Falls".

"Gravity Falls" follows the Pines twins, Dipper and Mabel, and their adventures while they stay in Gravity Falls over the summer with their Grunkle (great uncle) Stan. While they stay with their Grunkle Stan at his business (he owns the tourist trap known as the Mystery Shack), the twins quickly learn that Gravity Falls is not a normal town, and there are some rather strange creatures that dwell there. Dipper is the logical one, whereas Mabel is happy to make radio shows and wear funky sweaters. There are also a handful of other great characters in the show as well, like Soos (the handyman/employee that works at the Mystery Shack), Wendy (the hot, older lumbersexual girl that also works at the Mystery Shack), Waddles (Mabel's pet pig), Gideon (the arch-nemesis of Grunkle Stan), and Mabel's two best friends Candy and Grenda.

Now that I've given you the lowdown on "Gravity Falls", it's time for me to convince you to watch it so you too, can experience it's awesomeness. So here are my reasons on why I love "Gravity Falls" and why you should too.

1. It's set in the Pacific Northwest
Okay, so the first reason I love "Gravity Falls" so much, is because it takes place in the Pacific Northwest. So if you live in the PNW like me, then you'll appreciate "Gravity Falls" and the nature the artists depicted in the show.


2. It's overtly hilarious
I know I know...can a kid's cartoon actually be funny to an adult? The answer: yes, yes it can. "Gravity Falls" is absolutely hilarious and brutally honest sometimes. One of my favorite lines from "Gravity Falls" is when Grunkle Stan says, "Hit him over the head, it's nature's snooze button." Most kids probably wouldn't find that funny, but as adults, clearly we do.


3. Grunkle Stan is our spirit animal
Grunkle Stan is the classic grumpy old man who likes to hustle tourists out of their money. He would much rather be sleeping in his arm chair or walking around in his underwear. This is why, Grunkle Stan is basically our spirit animal. How often do we just want to lie around on our couches and watch Netflix? Or not wear a bra? Or not wear clothes in the comfort of our own home? All the time people, all the time we want that. Plus, Grunkle Stan has some of the best one liners we have all secretly thought but have had too much restraint to say, like, "When there's no cops around, anything's legal!" or, "Kids! I can't find the remote and I refuse to stand up!" or, "Yeah, nothing like sitting in a moist tub with strangers. It's like the bus, but wet." Seriously, watch the show and you'll see what I mean.

4. There are weird creatures everywhere
Each episode usually deals with some sort of weird creature and being that Dipper and Mabel have to learn about and destroy. It's kind of like Supernatural, but kid-friendly. They deal with classic creatures like Gnomes and Zombies, but then deal with bizarre creatures like Manotaurs (minotaurs that are manly) and the Hand Witch. This gives the show a funny and creative twist.

5. The relationship between Dipper and Mabel
I don't have a twin brother, but I do have a younger brother that looks almost exactly like me, except, ya know, manly. I love getting to see the relationship between Dipper and Mabel, because it reminds me a lot of my relationship with my younger brother. Throughout the show, Dipper is always trying to watch out for Mabel and protect her, and Mabel is always trying to stay positive and encourage Dipper. I love that they still fight like normal siblings, but they love each other fiercely.

6.  Dipper's personality
In a lot of ways, I think we can relate to Dipper. He's constantly asking questions and seeking answers and trying to discover new things. Sometimes he can be a little too controlling, and become obsessed with finding answers, like I think we can too. But Dipper holds the group together and is always stepping up to the plate to lead them.

7. Mabel's personality
Even if we don't always act like it on the outside, on the inside, we are all like Mabel. We are all a little weird, obsessed over certain things, love funky sweaters, a little boy-crazy, like to make jokes, and love our pets. Mabel may sometimes appear naive, but she's easily the sweetest character on the entire show. She loves life and her friends, but on the inside she is secretly insecure about her future, just like we often are.

8. Wendy's honesty
Wendy appears as the cool, laid back older chick that Dipper has a crush on. She always seems easy going and like she just goes with the flow. But in one of the "Gravity Falls" episodes, she reveals that she isn't nearly as laid back as she seems, and on the inside, she's really very stressed out like, all. The. Time. Feel like you relate? Yeah, me too.

9. I secretly wished I lived in Gravity Falls
After watching the two seasons of "Gravity Falls", I have come to the realization that I wish I lived there with Dipper and Mabel and Grunkle Stan. I wish I had their friends and their gumption, and I wish I lived in a world where fighting supernatural and fantastical creatures was just a part of every day life. Granted, I do live in the PNW, so I'm getting there, right?

10. They all love each other
One of the biggest reasons why I love "Gravity Falls", is because of the love the characters share among themselves. Nowadays, a lot of the TV shows we watch, the characters are quick to leave one another and not stick around. Thankfully, the characters in "Gravity Falls" are committed to each other and the friendships they have created over the summer. Grunkle Stan loves Dipper and Mabel as if they were his own children, Dipper and Mabel learn to love each other more, and they learn to love Wendy and Soos and Candy and Grenda. They learn to love unexpected visitors and how to overcome new obstacles. That, is why I love "Gravity Falls".

These are my top ten reasons why I love "Gravity Falls". I hope after reading this that you will spend some of your time watching the show. It really is awesome. Watch it on TV, and if you can't do that, then just look up "Gravity Falls Full Episodes" and you should be able to find something. Stay weird, everyone!

You Might Be a Homeschooler If...

I have been a homeschooler for as long as I can remember. As soon as I was in kindergarten, I was homeschooled until I was a junior in high school, where I went to college and finished up both my high school career as well as my prerequisites for college. But being homeschooled comes with a lot of responsibility and interesting comments. So here is a list of things that might pertain to you if you too, were once a homeschooler.

You might a homeschooler if...

- the Magic School Bus was "educational"

- going to the grocery store counted as a "field trip"

- other people asked you at the store if you should be in class right now

- cooking lunch or dinner for your family counted as home economics

- you ever had to read the History of Us books - ugh, I hated those things

- you ever had to ask your mom for a break

- you ever had to do over the school because your mom wanted you to "work ahead"

- your friends ever ask you why you don't go to "real school"

- you had to suffer through Saxon Math...come on guys, we've all had to suffer through it at one point

- your mom taught you literature, English and History and your dad covered science and math

- you ever listened to "Adventures in Odyssey"

- you ever had to attend co-op once a week

- school was cancelled because mom was sick (who said a teacher could only have so many sick days?!)

- you ever went skiiing or snowboarding on the discounted "homeschooler" Thursdays

- anyone ever asked you if you have "real friends"

- people doubt your social skills

- Abecca; need I say more?

- you ever made movies with your siblings and other homeschool friends

- playing outside is the same as PE or recess

- vacations happen in the middle of winter

- you suffered through that awkward "where do you go to school" conversation

- you rocked a lot of skirts...like...all the time

- your principle was your dad

- school can happen anywhere - Starbucks, McDonalds, Panera Bread...literally, anywhere

- you watch Blimey Cow religiously

- you have a lot of siblings

- you court, not date

- you aren't quite sure what grade you're in

- you make fun of kids who have to go to school ALL DAY!

- your siblings are your best friends

- your bed is also your desk

- you and all your siblings have Bible names

These are just a few of the ways you might be a homeschooler. I hope this touches all the hearts of my fellow homeschool peeps. And if you're reading this and aren't a homeschooler, well, you'll be all the more educated! I have loved being homeschooled, and I can't wait till I have kids and get to homeschool them as well.

How To Get 10,000 Steps a Day

Living in the Seattle area, nearly everyone and their mother has a Fitbit. I constantly see other people around me, with their fancy little device, tapping it as they walk to see how many steps they have. This Christmas I joined the Fitbit club, and have quickly become obsessed with getting at least 10,000 steps a day, if not more. Because then your Fitbut buzzes and tells you you reached your goal and how healthy you're being, and who doesn't love that? But sometimes it's hard to get 10,000 steps a day, and then we feel sad when we don't reach our goal. 10,000 is roughly 5 miles, which doesn't seem like a lot, and yet, it is. So, these are some of my tips on how to get 10,000 steps a day!

• Get a Fitbit or something that can track your steps
Having a Fitbit has actually made me motivated and want to work out more. Without it, I noticed I really didn't care if I was exercising that much or not. So invest into something that can help you keep track of your steps and mileage.

• Get up and move every hour
Sometimes we get lost in life and just spend our entire day at the office, sitting in the same chair. And then on the weekends we splurge and watch Netflix all. Day. Long. So, get up and move! Just get up every hour and do a little stroll around the house; let your dog outside, take a walk, get some water; whatever you need to do, just get up and do it.

• Take the stairs
Going to the mall is one of my favorite things to do, and it might be one of your favorite things to do too, so instead of taking the elevator, use the stairs instead. This keeps you moving and gives you more steps. In the end, it's much more beneficial, and, most likely, it's quicker to use the stairs than the elevator.

• Set goals
Set smaller goals that don't seem quite as daunting as 10,000 steps. Instead, say you will be at 2,500 steps around 11 AM, and then that you'll be at 5,000 steps by 1 PM and so on until you reach 10,000 steps. That way your goals seem more manageable.

• Park far away
As a woman, I am not saying to any of you that when it's dark and scary outside and you are alone, that you should park at the very back of the darkest parking lot. But, if it's during the day and you're running errands, then park farther away so you have to take more steps to get to the store.

• Take walks with friends
Instead of just hanging out at a coffee shop and catching up with your friends, opt to go for a walk and catch up instead. I know one of my favorite things to do with my friends is walk the trail in our town or do some easy hikes, that way we're being active. And, you could always stop by Starbucks or Jamba Juice before you walk too, or you could go after your activity as a reward.

• Take a stroll while checking your phone
Instead of just sitting on the couch and checking your phone, opt to pace while doing it. Or, if you're talking to someone on the phone, walk around your house, that way you're being active but you can still catch up with your bestie from high school.

• Get up and move during the commercials 
While checking social media during commercials can be fun, get up and move instead. Do some jumping jacks or squats, or just walk in pace until your show comes back on.

Those are just a few of my tips for staying healthy and getting all of your steps in. Good luck and I hope you can get 10,000 steps a day! We all love being healthy and happy, right? Get up and go get those steps!

13 Places to Visit in Paris

When my friend Julie and I were planning our trip to Europe, we were both a little nervous about what Paris would be like. Every time we asked our friends that had been to Paris, they all had different opinions. Some of them said they loved Paris and were dying to go back; others said it was their least favorite part about Europe and would've been fine if they had just skipped it. As you can imagine, this made the two of us nervous - would we like Paris? I'm glad to say, the second we got to our hotel and began strolling through Paris, we instantly fell in love. I personally, would even go as far to say that I liked Paris better than London, and found the Parisians to be nicer than the Londoners. But, that's just my personal opinion; maybe it's just because it's the city of love. Anyway, I wanted to share my favorite 15 places to visit in Paris - hopefully this will give you some fun ideas when you go to Paris too!

1. The Louvre 
The Louvre is a great place if you're super into art. If you're not really into art and you aren't a huge fan of gigantic, massive crowds, then I would recommend just skipping it. My friend and I just stopped outside of it, snapped some pictures, and moved along. We couldn't fathom the thought of pushing through huge crowds only to get a glimpse of the Mona Lisa and find out that, well, it really is only as big as a normal piece of paper. Most people I had talked to told me to just skip the Louvre, so we did. But like I said, if you're really into art then you should totally check it out. There are some wonderful pieces in there.

2. The Eiffel Tower
Obviously if you're in Paris, you will get to see the Eiffel Tower. But, just seeing it isn't enough. One of my favorite things was to stand right beside the Eiffel Tower and to look up into the structure, only to realize how massive it truly is. I've always thought if it as being huge, but my imagination clearly didn't have the capacity to realize how gigantic it was. The Seattle Space Needle is 605 feet high, whereas the Eiffel Tower is 1,063 feet high - that's almost two times the size of the Space Needle! You can go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but you have to pay for it. It is pretty high so if you don't like heights, then you probably shouldn't go up it. But then again, it is a once in a lifetime chance, so it's worth it if you feel passionate about it.

3. The Tuileries Garden
The Tuileries Garden was one of my favorite places we visited in Paris. It's so gorgeous and there's all these vibrant flowers - you can literally stop and smell the roses! There are some really cool lounge chairs scattered about the Garden as well, so you can just lounge around or take a nap or enjoy the scenery. We liked to bring our books and sit and read and soak up the sun on good days. Sometimes they have goats that groom the gardens, so those can be a little fun to see as well.

4. Place de la Concorde
Paris isn't super large, so for the most part you can walk/bike wherever you please and visit places. One of the places we visited was Place de la Concorde. For all you history buffs and/or horror enjoyers, this is the place where a ton of French royalty was guillotined, like Queen Marie Antionette. It's a piece of history, so it's interesting to visit. Plus, there's a pretty fountain, ya know, to help wash away the blood of the beheaded - joking. I'm only joking.

5. Les Invalides
Les Invalides was a retirement home for war veterans during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. It's also the burial place of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as some members of his family. The building is stunning, and you can physically go inside and see where Napoleon's tiny body is buried.

6. Notre Dame
Notre Dame is just one of the places you must visit while in Paris. The building is stunning to withhold and it's even more beautiful than I had ever imagined. I had always dreamed of going to Notre Dame after reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame, so I was so excited when that dream came true. Our hotel manager told us if we wanted to be as close to God as humanly possible, then we needed to go to the tippy top of Notre Dame. So if you want to seek so called spiritual closeness, then you can go up into the top of Notre Dame. You do have to pay to get inside, and the line can be really long, so plan to spend an hour or two in line. One of our favorite things was to grab a cappuccino and just sit around Notre Dame; it's so relaxing and it's great for people watching too.

7. Shakespeare & Company
I love reading, and so does my friend Julie. So when we heard about the super unique and well-known bookstore Shakespeare and Company, we knew we had to visit. Shakespeare and Company is one of the famous bookstores you see all over Pinterest, and after we saw it, we knew exactly why. There are tons of unique and old books there, and little reading nooks. For a book lover, this is a must visit in Paris. Plus, it's right across the street from Notre Dame, so you can just visit one after the other!

8. Laduree
Laduree is a famous chocolatier place. You can get all sorts of treats and goodies there, especially chocolate! It's just a fun stop when you're craving something sweet but don't want to spend too much money. They also have macarons there too.

9. Angelina
Okay, I have been waiting for the majority of this post to rant about how much I love Angelina. Angelina is a sweet shop, but it's a very high-end sweet shop. It also has the best hot chocolate, ever. So if you love hot chocolate and other goodies, then this is most definitely the place for you. If you just want hot chocolate, they have a little cart outside. If you just want some take out dessert, then you can go inside and buy whatever dessert and candies you wish. But, if you want to be really fancy, you can sit in the restaurant section of Angelina and have some dessert and cocoa. Angelina is usually pretty busy, so it may take a while to get a table. But if there's only two of you, it will happen fairly fast. I totally, one hundred percent recommend going to Angelina - it is every sweet lover's dream.

 
10. Le Relais de l'Entrecote
One of the main reasons we go to Paris, is for the food and the wine, am I right? We were highly excited to go to the city of love and eat our way through the city. We had been told by a friend that if we wanted to have one of the most amazing meals ever, then we had to visit Le Relais de l'Entrecote. They only have one thing on the menu, and that is, steak and frites (fries) with the most mouth watering sauce spread on the steak. People line up hours before the restaurant opens, or else you won't get a seat. But it is totally worth the wait! The food is beyond words, and the wine is wonderful too. This is a must visit place if you love steak and fries and good wine. But it is a little spendy (worth it though, I promise) and you do need to make sure to get there about an hour before it opens so you get a seat and aren't left waiting in the cold.

11. The Royal Palace
For all you castle lovers and fairytale dreamers, the Royal Palace is the place you need to visit. The architecture is brilliant, and the palace is stunning and it's quite grand. Sometimes it can be hard to see if the gates are up, and it can be a little difficult to get there, but it's totally worth it. The picture below isn't mine, but it's the best representation of the Royal Palace.

12. Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
This is not the Arc de Triomphe in the middle of the road in Paris that you can drive under, so keep that in mind. This is a different arc, but it's worth seeing. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel was created to commemorate all of Napoleon's victories in France. The structure on top is depicting Peace riding in on triumphant chariots, because Napoleon was bringing "peace" to the city. It's worth the stop, and it's massive. It's also really close to the Tuileries Garden, so you can just stop by it on your way out.

13. Les Antiquaries
We're back on the subject of food, but this is a must visit for food lovers. We got this restaurant recommendation from our hotel manager, who told us it wasn't too expensive and the food was top notch. We were so surprised when we arrived at Les Antiquaries to find that our hotel manager had already called ahead and told the waiters that we were coming and to treat us right. We got mushroom risotto and a salad with pancetta, fried goat cheese balls, bacon and pesto. You have to visit this restaurant! It's delicious and the atmosphere is really neat.

I fell deeply in love with Paris, and I hope you fall in love with it as well. For all of you who were wondering, I stayed at the Hotel Verneuil, which is a wonderful place to stay. It's tucked away a little, but it's right in the center of Paris, so everything is must a mile or two away. Here's some pictures of our room and the hotel:

Paris is a wonderful place to visit, and I hope I have given you some good ideas on where to visit and what to check out. There's a lot of other wonderful places to visit in Paris, but we only had a few days to knock all of our destinations out. Hopefully you'll have a little more time and will check out some of the places I listed. Au revior!

24 Places to Visit in London

Over this past September, I got the amazing opportunity to visit both London and Paris. For this blogpost, I wanted to share the twenty-two places to visit in London, why you should, and what's so great about them. I hope this helps inspire you to travel to London, and also gives you some good ideas on what you should check out. For my next blogpost I will be talking about Paris, so keep tuning in if you want any tips or travel ideas for Paris! Anyway, here are my favorite places to visit in London in no particular order.

1. Twining's
For all of you tea lovers out there, Twining's is the place for you to visit! This is the original Twining's store, and they have dozens upon dozens of teas for you to check out. Keep in mind, Twining's is in an older building and therefore, the shop is very long but not very wide. They have different teas you can test at their tea bar, and then a section of the store where you can make your own tea box filled with the teabags you picked out. They also have a wide variety of loose leaf tea too, as well as some free recipes you can take home and try for yourself. Finally, one of my favorite other favorite things, is that they have portions of the store that show the historical background of Twining's, which is kind of neat.

2. The Grazing Goat
Clearly from it's amazing name, you obviously have to check this place out. The Grazing Goat is a pub about a mile or so from Hyde Park. You can eat a delicious English Breakfast there, or try their awesome fish 'n chips. Or, if you're looking for a place to stay, you can stay in the hotel rooms above The Grazing Goat pub. It's the most clean, orderly and fancy pub I have ever seen it, and I loved all the hotel rooms. The bathroom was super nice, and the room had this modern but woodsy theme.

3. Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is just one of those places you just have to visit. It's gorgeous, especially when the weather is nice. There are all of these massive statues and let me tell you, it's quite the place to people watch as well. I remember what my friend Julie and I did, was grab some drinks and read our books while sitting next to the fountain. It was very relaxing. There isn't a ton of things to see at Trafalgar, but it is a good place to check out and relax.

3. Piccadilly Circus
For all you Sherlock fans, this is definitely a place you need to visit. Who wouldn't want to stand in the spot that plays such a huge role in Sherlock?! If Sherlock isn't really your thing, don't worry. Piccadilly is a great place to get some shopping done. There are tons of shops to visit, and you'll be able to get whatever you need for souvenirs or goodies. Keep in mind that when you do go visit Piccadilly Circus, think about New York. Piccadilly is so busy you can hardly get by without bumping into someone. If you aren't a big fan of large crowds, I wouldn't recommend visiting here. But, if you don't mind some hustle and bustle, it's definitely a fun visit. This isn't my picture, but it's a good representation.

4 & 5. The Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben) and the London Eye
First, let's get some things straight. Big Ben actually refers to the bell within the Elizabeth Tower, not the actual Tower itself. So when you do go visit London and you need some help locating the Tower, make sure you ask the locals where the Elizabeth Tower is, not where Big Ben is, or else you will most likely be made fun of. But, the Tower is a wonderful place to visit. It's stunning and pretty and makes for some great pictures. You can go up into the Tower, but my friend and I didn't, because we didn't want to pay a bunch of money for it. You can also see the London Eye almost anywhere you stand in London. Keep in mind it's about three times bigger than the ferris wheel in downtown Seattle, so it's quite massive. If you aren't a fan of heights or spending a lot of money, then I wouldn't recommend visiting the London Eye. But if you want a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the majority of London and don't mind spending a bit of your money, then go for it.

6 & 7. Westminster Abbey and Church
Westminster is a wonderful place to visit. First of all, it's drop dead gorgeous. Plus, who wouldn't want to see the church where Princess Kate was married at? We all love fairytales, and therefore, this is the place for all of us who are princesses at heart.

8. House of Parliament
If you're stopping off to visit the Elizabeth Tower, then you'll be looking at the House of Parliament as well. The House of Parliament is practically attached to the Elizabeth Tower so you can't really have one without the other. We liked visiting this place because it was just a stunning, ancient building with so much history. Not only that, but there are beautiful parks surrounding it where you can just stop off and have a cappuccino and enjoy the view. If you look back at my picture of the Elizabeth Tower, you'll be able to see the House of Parliament off to the right.

9. The Thames
The Thames is very easy to get to because, well, it's just a really large river. It's breathtaking on a sunny day, and much more massive than I had originally imagined. There isn't really a lot to do at the Thames, but you can take boat rides and it's easy to stop by and see before you hit up your other destinations in London.

10. Churchill's Bunkers
I loved London, but one of my favorite places that I went to, was Churchill's Bunkers. It's the underground bunkers where Churchill and his men helped fight in World War II. Everything was left just as it was on the day the war finally ended, not a thing out of place. And it's like as soon as you enter the bunkers, you're transported back in time. There's so much history down there, and I learned a bunch of stuff I never knew about Churchill and all the work he and his employees did. You do have to pay for this activity, but it's not super expensive and it's totally worth it. You can easily spend two or three hours down there, because it is pretty big an there are a lot of activities you can do.

11. The Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge you absolutely must visit. It's gorgeous, huge, and, you can easily walk across it. Plus, you can see the Tower Bridge from the Tower of London, so you can't really have one without the other. If you want, it's fun and easy to stop by the Tower of London and then walk across the London Bridge. There are great places to stop and take pictures on the bridge as well. You can go inside the bridge and I believe high up into it, but you do have to pay for it, so we didn't bother doing that.

12. The Tower of London
Since we're already visiting the Tower Bridge, obviously we have to stop off and visit the Tower of London as well. The Tower is particularly gorgeous in spring and summer, when all the flowers are in bloom, but we went in the fall, which was still very pretty. It's just incredible to be standing where there's so much history. Plus there's some really old ruins you can check out right by the Tower as well.

13. Saint Paul's Cathedral
I have always loved how old churches have looked, so naturally I had to check out Saint Paul's Cathedral. It's just so beautiful, and much bigger than I had originally thought it was. We didn't go inside because it costs about eighteen euros, and we weren't dying to get inside. We did step through the doors and kind of take a peek, but we weren't willing to spend a ton of money because we had other things we wanted to spend our money on.

14 & 15. Shakespeare's Globe and Swan
Shakespeare's Globe is a fun place to visit if you're a huge fan of Shakespeare. I loved visiting the place where Shakespeare had his plays performed - plays that I had grown up reading. Unfortunately we weren't able to physically go inside the Globe, but we were able to do something else fun while we were there. Right beside the Globe is the Swan London Bar and Restaurant, but, you can also have afternoon tea there! We had a great time enjoying our afternoon tea and looking out over London and the Millennium Bridge while rain hit the windows. The food and desserts were excellent, the tea fantastic, and the company even better. I would totally recommend checking out Swan for some afternoon tea. It's not super expensive and the food was top notch.

16. The Millennium Bridge (or as I referred to it, the "Harry Potter Bridge")
I am a huge Harry Potter nerd, like, to the extreme. I just really love Harry Potter; I have my own wand, multiple versions of the book series, all of the movies, my own Gryffindor sweater, scarf, and my own Hedwig, and that's not even making a dint in all of the Harry Potter stuff I own. So naturally when I saw the Millennium Bridge, I freaked out like a total fangirl because that is the bridge the Death Eaters destroyed in Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. If you're a Harry Potter geek and you're already at the Swan or Shakespeare's Globe, then you're right by the Millennium Bridge, so you totally need to stop by and check it out/walk across it. It's a really cool structure and, well, Harry Potter. Does it get any cooler?

17. The British Museum  
The British Museum is a must see if you're going to London. First of all, it's free, so why wouldn't you want to go?! Second of all, it's where "Night at the Museum" was filmed. Third, it's gigantic and there's a lot of really cool things to see. The museum is so big, we spent probably three or four hours there and hardly made a dent in it. So when you do go, keep in mind it is a lot to see, and it might be a little overwhelming at first, but just mosey around. Also, invest into a map. They cost a few euros but they aren't terribly expensive, and it's well worth it in case you want to visit certain areas of the museum. They also have a really expansive gift shop, so you can get some really neat souvenirs there. I particularly liked the Egypt section, but trust me when I say they have like, every area of the globe covered here.

18. Buckingham Palace
This is just a must-visit while you're in London. It's freaking Buckingham Palace! And, I think we are all a little obsessed over seeing the Royal Guards, aren't we? The Palace is beautiful, the guards just like in the movies and books, and it was just such a stunning sight to behold. There are a lot of people usually hanging around Buckingham Palace, and a lot of tourists, so watch your head and make sure you don't get smacked in the face with some silly person's selfie stick. You can go and tour Buckingham Palace but it is a little spendy and it only happens on certain days and certain hours.

19. Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre
After running around London like crazy people, sometimes it's just nice to sit down and enjoy a show. I have always been a huge fan of the Lion King, and if you are too, then you must see the Lion King production at the Lyceum Theatre. It's a beautiful show, and the costumes are unbelievable. There's a lot of interaction with the crowd and they have some hilarious one liners throughout the show. I recommend getting good seats and splurging a little so you can sit on the floor, right in front of the stage. Try to get an aisle seat too, because in the beginning of the production people in costumes walk down the aisles and up towards the stage. Plus, there's a bar there, and they have happy hour, so...might as well, right?

20. The Sherlock Museum
If you are a big fan of Sherlock Holmes like I am, then you must visit the Sherlock Museum! It's the neatest little house. You do have to pay to get inside, but I recommend doing it. It's a fun experience, and they have all these fun facts littered about the house, and you can see what their living would've been like during that time, if Sherlock really had been real. If you don't want to spend the money, then you can go into the museum gift shop. It's not quite the same, but there is a lot of fun stuff there and you can get some neat souvenirs.

21, 22 & 23. John Lennon's House, Abbey Road, and The Beatles Shop
I lumped all three of these things together because they all kind of fit in the same category. For all of you music lovers and Beatles fans, London is a great place for you to visit. You can find Abbey Road and take a picture of you and all your friends walking across (just like the Beatles did). Or, you can go on a little adventure and find the house that John Lennon used to live in - how cool is that?! And if you're still over at the Sherlock Holmes Museum, there's the Beatles Shop right next to it, so you can stop by there and get some cool gifts as well.

24. Platform 9 3/4

We already established earlier in this post that I am a huge Harry Potter nerd, so when we went to King's Cross to catch the EuroStar to go to Paris, naturally we had to stop by Platform 9 3/4. If you are a Harry Potter geek, then you must check out Platform 9 3/4. You can get your picture taken so it looks like you're entering onto the platform, and you can choose your house color scarf as well! There's also a gift shop, so you can buy whatever Harry Potter themed goodies you want. You can also purchase your official picture inside the gift shop as well, if you don't just want the cellphone one you snapped earlier (I got the official picture; it comes in a cool frame; how could I not?!). 

 

Those are my twenty-four places to visit while in London! There are a bunch of other places to visit too, like Kensington Palace (we went there too, but the fences were all blocked off so we couldn't see much of anything), the Doctor Who shops, and much more. But these were just the places I visited and fell in love with. So when you decide to go to London, keep these places in mind as some fun ideas. Stay tuned - my next blog will be dealing with places to visit in Paris!