New Year's Inspiration #2014BloggerChallenge

*Oh the irony that I'm posting this late when it was meant to be about me becoming on top of things and kicking myself into gear this year... Not a good start to the 2014 Blogging Challenge and the year in general!*

One of the joys of travelling is the gorgeous feeling of teetering into the unknown. I'd describe myself as someone with the travelling bug, an inane desire to explore new places and experience new things. Yet why then, am I so scared of the unknown? Since graduating from university I thought I'd be presented with an exciting new world of opportunities. What I got was an initial struggle to get even a part time job and a procrastination black hole which zapped all my motivation and somehow, here we are months later in much the same position. Moving back in with the parents (which has its initial perks of free food and heating!) instead led me to become too comfortable and frankly less of an independent adult than I was at uni. A vicious circle is in play surrounding my want and need to become proactive. Without a full-time job or purpose to my day, I have found it increasingly hard to motivate myself to do much, which ironically includes the arduous task of job-hunting.

I have always loved this quote from Alice in Wonderland, one of my favourite books when I was younger, so I thought I would include it as my inspiration for the new year, the theme of the first post of the 2014 Blogger Challenge I'm taking part in. Perhaps another whimsical attempt by my subconscious to avoid the reality of the 'adult world' just like Alice! This is my resolution to embrace anything scary and basically just get off my behind and do something, anything! At this new stage in my life, it doesn't matter which road I take, as long as I take one.

What are you all looking to accomplish this year? Something you've been putting off!?
Speaking of which, I had better stop fiddling with this post and get back to some job applications...

The #2014BloggerChallenge

In an attempt to blog more regularly I have had to look for outside motivation!

Christmas is fast approaching and this means 2014 is right around the corner. As the New Year is a time for resolutions and starting afresh, I thought why not start with a blogging challenge to kick it off!

Zebra Stripes and Golden Spikes

Just a little post on one of little Lucy's Biennale outfits. 

Isn't she a snazzy dresser!

Borghese Biking

As if we hadn't experience enough art, whilst in Rome we attempted to go to the Borghese Villa art gallery. Ignoring advice that prebooking tickets was a good idea, we instead headed up there bright and early on one of our last mornings. Alas! Luck wasn't in our favour and tickets were booked up for the next couple of days. Feeling a little sheepish that we'd thought we didn't need guide book advice we wandered back through the parks and gardens surrounding the villa.

Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

In order to fully embrace La Dolce Vita and throw ourselves into the Italian lifestyle, we rented an apartment whilst in Rome. It gives you so much more freedom and it's nice to have a little base you can call home whilst away. Plus, we enjoyed pretending we actually lived there and swanning around like locals!

To christen our new pad, we hit the supermarket on our first night and got down and dirty in the kitchen.

We rustled up some veggie spaghetti and one of my favourite, and easiest, dishes, Bruschetta.

The Traveller's Silk Trousers

Whilst in Venice, I fell in love with these gorgeous printed Zara trousers Catherine was wearing. Perfect for swanning around the art galleries of the Biennale!

They're the great combination of style and comfort. Exactly what you want from your city break wardrobe. Now I just have to try and track down a pair of my own!

The flower and hummingbird pattern are edged up with the contrasting texture of the Topshop leather jacket. And, of course, her trusty Mulberry. Used, a little less glamorously, for storing snacks and the like to get us through the long days of sightseeing! *Warning, it doesn't mix well with pear juice!*

Casin dei Nobili

When one thinks of Italy, the food is surely one of the first things to come to mind. Gorgeous pizzas, pasta, gelato, caprese salads, the list goes on.

When on holiday in a new city, however, knowing where to go out for dinner can be a little overwhelming so here is one of my restaurant recommendations for Venice.

After a long day walking around the Biennale, we were all in the mood for a good meal. Two of the girls I was travelling with had lived and studied Art History for a semester in Venice last year so could play host and take us to little gems of restaurants like Casin dei Nobili. Only downside is the poor quality of my photographs so I can't convey to you just how good our meal was so you're just going to have to go for yourselves!