Recently on Go Seek Explore Blog + Instagram

You may have read that I recently launched my new travel blog, Go Seek Explore, where I post daily content on travel tips and inspiration, study abroad, and lots and lots of wanderlust. A few of my favorite articles from this past week:

8 Seattle Stereotypes That Are Actually True















Must-Dos For Any South Africa Trip (Guest































It's Okay To Feel Overwhelmed Before You Travel Abroad - Just Don't Give In To The Nerves

A Beginner's Guide On How To Navigate a Metro System















Why You Should Visit Croatia ASAP

And recently on the Go Seek Explore Instagram:

Hope to see you over there!

I launched my new travel blog!

Hello all!

I am very excited to announce my new travel blog, Go Seek Explore. The purpose of Go Seek Explore is to inspire more people to travel and see the world. Sometimes people need that initial "push" to go abroad for the first time, or maybe even to continue traveling. Go Seek Explore will provide daily posts filled with quality content, personal stories, captivating photos, travel tips, and lots of wanderlust.

I will be spending a majority of my blogging time working on Go Seek Explore, though I will continue to post on Sunny Sweetheart from time to time. You may even recognize a few of my recent Sunny Sweetheart travel posts over there! ;)

If you took some time to check out Go Seek Explore, I'd adore you forever! Also, please follow along on Instagram, as I've been posting travel photos daily.

One Year

Today marks the three year anniversary since I left to go to Florence, Italy to study abroad. It was the first time I left the country.

A year ago, I graduated college. It is so crazy to think how much has happened in one short year and how little I knew what was going to happen at the time. I didn't know I would spend the summer in DC and New York, then go back to Florence for five months, and then back to DC again. Now, exactly one year later, I am back in Seattle, figuring out what's next (hopefully moving!)

I've realized how important travel/study abroad/education are to me, and that is where my future career goals lie.

I still enjoy blogging, and am in the works of creating a whole new blog. :) I'll announce it here when it goes live, whenever that will be.

What's crazy is how quickly a year can go by and how little changes add up over time. You don't realize things are slowly changing, but they are, and you are too. You are slowly evolving now into the person you'll be a year from now.

Cheers to another year! (And happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!)

The Beautiful Italian Island You've Probably Never Heard Of

When you think of Italian islands, names that often come to mind are Capri, Sicily, or Sardinia. While there are plenty of Italian islands, one of my favorites, Elba, lies in the Tuscan Archipelago. Think the bluest water you can imagine, delicious Italian food (one of the best paninis I've ever had was at Elba), and plenty of sunshine. Elba Island was an easy choice to choose for a weekend away during my study abroad experience, after a friend suggested it and we got a group together to go. Elba is a great place for a quick getaway, and close if you happen to be in Florence, like many students, or in the Tuscan region. 

How To Get There (From Florence)
Take a train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale. From there, take a train or bus to Piombino. At Piombino, get on a ferry to Elba Island. We stayed in Cavo, which is a small beach town on the northeast tip of the island. There are only daily ferries to Cavo, but there are hourly ferries to Portoferrario, which is more of a common town for tourists.



The only English-speaking person we encountered in Cavo was an Australian man that owned a restaurant. This was refreshing because we had just spent the previous weekend on an opening tour in Rome, and while it was beyond incredible, it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle and all the tour groups. We went up to Portoferrario during one of the days to relax on the beach, do some shopping, and grab a bite for lunch.




Oh, and did you know that Napoleon was exiled there in 1814?

Photos: My own

Longchamp: A Girl's Perfect Travel Bag

The traditional Longchamp Le Pliage totes are a popular choice for many college students and professionals. Since I got my first Longchamp last year, it has been all over the US and Europe with me, and has stood the test of time. Here's a list of five reasons why the Le Pliage tote is the perfect travel bag.

 Longchamp "Le Pliage" Large Tote

1. The Price is Right

Between $125 - $180, it isn't overly expensive, but not so cheap you'll know it'll fall apart.

2. Size Options

I've had two Longchamp bags, both size large. They easily hold my laptop, magazines, big DSLR camera, and other handbag necessities. The Le Pliage comes in small, medium, and large with multiple color choices.

3. It's Durable

Both of my Longchamps have stood the test of time (at least for the year it's been since I got my first one) and are still in great shape despite their almost-daily use.

Longchamp "LM Metal" Large Shoulder Tote

4. It Has a Zip Closure

When you travel to a foreign city, the last thing you want to worry about is getting pick-pocketed. A zip closure makes it harder for thieves to reach in and grab your stuff.

5. It's Waterproof!

This is something you may not always think about when purchasing a handbag, but a waterproof bag is so nice to have. When you travel, you'll likely be walking most places, so when it rains, you don't have to worry about your bag - or the things in it - getting ruined. I can't tell you how many times I've been caught in the rain and was glad to not have had my papers or electronics ruined.