Milan- The Fashion Capital of Italy

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Milan is widely known as one of the fashion capitals of the world. It is Italy’s second largest city that is the center for architecture, banking, and high fashion. Famous attractions include the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), the Golden Quadrangle, and the La Scala Opera House. Many people that visit Milan go for the extravagant, high fashion shopping around the Golden Quadrangle. The Golden Quadrangle houses some of the most popular high-end designers including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada. Around the Quadrangle, other popular designers line the streets flashing their brands to draw in the fashionistas. Milan is a haute couture powerhouse that exposes all of the top designers. The study abroad class got a tour of the streets around the center of Milan where we were in shopping heaven!! Most of the designers are extremely expensive, but there are also many stores that are affordable. Can we just have it all, please? We didn’t want to leave this beautiful city where the fashion screams and the buildings gleam. The pictures below include the Milan Cathedral, the Golden Quadrangle, a collage of brands seen on the streets, and my Study Abroad class farewell dinner.

Burano

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Burano is a colorful island that is the home of lace making. Literally, colorful, the town is filled with a variety of bright buildings all linked together to make the perfect “camera ready” destination. Burano is my personal favorite place on the Venetian Islands because of the color and all of the lace accessories including fans, umbrellas, clothing, jewelry and more. Burano is filled with restaurants on the water and personal roof top dining treatments to their up-most loyal customers. I would highly recommend this to someone that wants a great environment along with delicious food and accessories. Ciao!!

Murano

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Murano is a series of quaint islands linked by bridges right outside of Venice. No cars allowed, as all of Murano is a walking and boating town. Murano is known as Venice’s center for glass making and is the most visited destination of the Venetian Islands. Skilled glassmakers produce the world renowned “Murano Glass”, which is handmade by master craftsmen.  Today, the Study Abroad students got to see a glassblowing demonstration as well as shop at multiple glass shops, where beautiful lamps, bowls, plate ware, and hand painted jewelry were sold. The girls browsed around taking in the colorful and artistic glass structures that are handmade, under ten minutes, but sold for thousands of dollars. Murano is also known for their Glass Garden on the Island called the “Giardino Italia.” The Giardino Italia is made of 150 glass elements all on a metal structure that emphasizes Murano’s trademark. The “Giardino Italia” resembles a small over grown garden of tall colorful flowers in full bloom on top of metal stems, with glass blown birds hidden amongst their large petals.

Gucci Museum

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The Gucci Museum in Florence, Italy displays the brilliant designs made by Guccio Gucci. Gucci is a luxury brand known worldwide that specializes in high-quality travel ware, handbags, loafers and accessories that are symbolic and exude confident style. No pictures are allowed at the museum, so one will have to visit the Gucci Museum in person to see the beautiful, designer items. The walls are filled with pictures of famous stars who wear the Gucci brand ranging from Aubrey Hepburn to Rod Stewart. Handbags were displayed in all sizes and a variety of styles all flashing Gucci's most significant symbol, the GG.

My favorite room of the museum was the Evening room that displayed Gucci's evening wear that was worn by some of the world's most famous female stars. The picture collage below are the dresses I got to see in person worn by some of my favorite female stars including Blake Lively and Cameron Diaz. The dresses evoked the master tailor's skill and reveal self confidence, class and beauty.

Castello Banfi

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The Castello Banfi is a family-owned vineyard estate and winery located in Tuscany. Banfi is the maker of some of the region's best-known wines that are available in 50 countries around the world. With over 7,200 acres of vineyards and olive groves, Banfi produces over 10 million bottles of wine a year, as well as olive oil and balsamic vinergerette. The study abroad students got the experience of touring the breath taking estate where we learned how Banfi produces and stores their wines, followed by a wine tasting and then lunch at the restaurant. The pictures below show the estate, wine barrels, our personal wine tasting display, a delicious two course meal at the restaurant (my favorite meal so far in Italy), and a group picture of the study abroad students with our professors.

http://www.castellobanfi.com/

                                        

  



Tourist's Top 5 "Must Eats" in Italy

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Attention Tourist's traveling to Italy: I have the top 5 must eat foods that you absolutely have to try!! Not only is Italy known as the Fashion Capital, it is also known for some of the best food items around the globe. I have only been here for 2 days and have already hit all five!! Here we go:

1. Pizza

Oh, and by the way, the winner of the best pizza "Italy vs. New York" goes to...ITALY!! Hands down

2. Pasta

3. Gelato

4. Meat and Cheese Plate

5. Wine

Ok. I know wine is not a food, but in Italy, wine is a part of every meal. Pair it with anything and you will be pleased!! I found my favorite Cabernet in Italy that I will never forget!

Stay Cocky

Florence University

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Today I went to Florence University (FUA) in Italy. First, we started off eating at the Gonzo Restaurant, the student based restaurant similar to my work, The McCutchen House!! After a five course meal, we toured the Pastry School (with complimentary cookies, of course), the school of arts, computer technology, and the school of fashion. FUA is a prestigious college in Florence that focuses on intimate academics. This experience was amazing!! I learned similar things in the college of Hospitality at USC plus new perspectives on the food and fashion influences in Italy. Pictures below show a my favorite plate at Gonzo, Cookies at the Fedora, the FUA classroom setup, and the post tag greeting to the fashion school.

                                                         Stay Cocky

Students Perspective on Italian Fashion

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The USC Study Abroad students and I were stoked about our big trip to the Fashion Capital. When packing, we noticed that we all packed the same types of clothing styles on the trip. Our perspective on how Italian's dress were extremely different than anticipated. When thinking of Italian fashion, long maxi skirts, flowing extravagant dresses, high waisted bottoms, along with bright, vibrant colors came to mind. Next, we scouted out fashion street trends and saw that people from Italy dressed basic and rather casual, but with a twist. Although their clothes were quite plain, it was clear that most of their money went toward accessories. High end designer shoes and bags were the main fashion catch. Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Dior, and Jimmy Choo's flashed by us walking down the streets of Rome leaving us breathless. Below is a picture of my friends and I in our version of "Italian Fashion"

ATTENTION: Fabulous Fashion for Less!! In the picture above, the girl on the right is wearing a Jumper from Macy's. I am wearing a dress from Kohls and my blazer is from Charlotte Russe.

Vatican City

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Ok guys, I am officially in Italy!! First up on the List, Vatican City in Rome. Not only does the Pope of the Catholic Church live here, Vatican City is a museum with almost 12,000 rooms filled with history from 400 years ago. Iconic paintings, heroic sculptures, the notorious dome, and the Sistine Chapel were some of my highlights of my four hour tour. You will notice in one of my pictures the balcony the new Pope stands out on when elected!

My Personal Favorite: Gervais & Vine

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Gervais & Vine, located in the Congaree Vista in Columbia, SC, is my ultimate favorite place to dine. G&V is a Mediterranean Tapas and Wine bar offering various selections of fresh menu items and over 35 wines by the glass available everyday. Wine tastings are offered every Wednesday from 5-7, along with weekly live entertainment, outdoor seating, monthly "Wine Goddess" parties, and daily specials. The atmosphere is contemporary and relaxing, and the staff is the most friendly and welcoming group I've met. Talk about great Southern Hospitality service!! I love everything about this restaurant from the fabulous wine selections to the mouthwatering tapas items (my top two favorite items are the Petite Filet topped with Pimento cheese and the Crab stuffed Salmon shown in the picture above). YUM!!
                                                            
                                                                                 Stay Cocky

http://www.gervine.com/

Drip Coffee in Columbia SC

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Looking for high quality coffee in the Columbia, South Carolina area? Stop by Drip and order a cup of their premium, robust blends offered in many flavors. Each cup is personally dripped for the customer right after placing an order. The atmosphere is laid back, and draws in coffee addicts to sit back, relax, and enjoy that morning cup of joe. Drip has two locations, one in 5 Points and the other on Main Street. Come on into Drip to experience handcrafted high quality coffee paired with a fabulous homemade breakfast item.

 http://dripcolumbia.com/