A Walk Through Old Town [Kraków]

Top [SheIn] Cardigan [J.O.A....last year...new version here]. Pants [Zara]. Booties [Lucky Brand]. Scarf [ASOS]. Necklace [Baublebar]. Sunnies [Celine]. Handbag [RM]

   Hello friends!  I'm back from my travels & now its time for some photos & stories!  I had attempted to post while I was in Europe about my day to day activities & sights....however, when you drink a little bit too much Polish vodka with friends & family, it becomes a wee bit difficult to accomplish posting.  I was happy enough I stuck to my goal of running every other day!  #weddinggoals.

  I was very grateful that we were able to go on this trip.  Wedding planning gets a bit expensive, lol.  We decided to make this trip more chill by going to places that were close, & didn't require too much traveling or new sight-seeing.  But, it doesn't seem to matter if you've been there before, because these places are so old & grand, that there's always something new to see!  On another note, its so fun for me to go to Poland because its become like a second home to me.  This is my fifth year going with the Polish man, & last year was the 1st year I could actually read the signs, & understand more.  Its crazy to think that you can go somewhere & not understand anything around you because the language is so different than English or Spanish.  Its eye-opening once you can read everything.  I feel like a child learning to read...but that was so long ago, I can't even remember that feeling.  Ha.  This year, though, I not only could read, I could communicate & understand 90% of every conversation around me.  It was freaking awesome!  Thus, why I made the commitment to go running  through the cities.  I know my way around by now & was able to go into the market on my own & order food, etc.  I can't explain what a cool experience that was for me this year!  And, I KNOW that it was amazing for the Polish man because he didn't have to translate 24/7. Lol.  

  Luju Euro trip always begins in Kraków.  For those of you who don't know, Kraków was the capital of Poland until 1596.  And, for a country thats been around since 966 AD, thats a loooong time.  Its considered the Royal City, as Wawel is the site of the coronation & burial of the monarchs.  We always stay in an apartment in the Stare Miasto (the city square).  There's something magical about opening our windows to people watch & hear the trumpet call that plays from St. Mary's Basilica every hour.  And, everything we want to see is simply a walk away from our location, including Wawel Royal Castle.  Yes, you've definitely seen this castle before on my blog, but it never gets boring.  The big beautiful gold dome, the bell tower, the powerful architecture...I wish I had enough time to soak in the detail in every brick...but, thats what makes it great being able to go back every year!  I always spy something new!

  Hope you enjoy the photos, there will be more to come over the next week!  Happy Monday!  

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Gubałowka

 Myself: Sweater [Zara].  Pants [Hurley/Nike].  Sneakers [Nike].  Sunnies [Dolce & Gabbana].  Backpack [Herschel Supply Co.].  // The Polish Man: Hat [Hurley].  Hoodie [Hurley].  Jeans [Levi's]. Shoes [Converse].  

        Hi all!  Welcome to Zakopane!  Zakopane is a pretty little town located in the very south of Poland at the foot of the Tatra mountain range.  It is not too far from the Polish man's home city, so he & his family vacationed there quite often.  My first trip to Poland (years back now), it was a place that he just had to take me to.  He told me we would hike, walk around, drink warm wine, visit…stop there...he had me at wine.  Back in the day, I wasn't too outdoorsy & wasn't really sold on the hiking part of the trip.  But, I'm always along for the ride.  So, we drove up the winding mountains & there we were out of the city & in this quaint winter town.  I was, at that very moment, taken back by the beauty & was 100% ready for all activities!
        I would have to say that it is now somewhere we always have to go when we travel to Europe.  I look so forward to packing my backpack & hiking up the mountains to enjoy a refreshing pivo sokiem while taking in the scenery!  This particular location is a smaller hike & is called Gubałowka.  (There is also a tram that will take you up the mountain if you're not too keen on hiking!)  At the top, there is a great restaurant where we typically enjoy that pivo sokiem I was talking about & some warm  kwasnica!  Its the best sauerkraut soup you'll lay your spoon into!  I hope that you enjoy the views!

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Piękny Kraków

Longsleeve Tee [Nordy BP].  Poncho [Nordy BP].  Jeans [Zara].  Sneakers [Zara…loving these newbies].  Sunnies[Prada].  Earrings[David Aubrey].  Crossbody[R. Minkoff].  Lipcolor [MAC…color Peach Blossom].

     Hi everyone!  I'm back from vacation.  Sometimes, I feel like when you return, you need a vacation from your vacation!  (Locked in your house that is!)  I'll be doing a photo diary of all the magical places I visited while in Europe.  This year, our road trip took us to four countries.  I love traveling.  It truly opens your mind & spirit to a fresh outlook on life.  I am always rejuvenated when I return.  There is simply no comparison to the feeling when you are in awe of everything that surrounds you.  When you're in another country, its as though you are in another world.  From the way the windows open, to the currency, to the whispers of other languages around you, everything is so different.  For myself, it makes my experience that much more memorable.  I truly feel blessed for having opportunities in my life that enable me to go places.
      The 1st city I bring you to in my photo diary is the beautiful city of Kraków, Poland.  Walking the streets of some of these cities is like walking through a time capsule.  Although you see modern day life through attire, stores, etc; you can still hear the whispers & tales of the people that once lived there.  Hope you enjoy the photos!
      Do Widzenia! xoxo.

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#fbf

 Jeans: AE…Sweater: Cubus…Coat: Frenchi (similar here)…Scarf: Michael Stars (similar here)…Beanie: Cubus...Sneakers: Ash…Purse: R.Minkoff…Earrings: Target…& Sunnies: Marc Jacobs.

        Happy Friday friends.  Recently, I have been getting back to my old hobbies…which consists of mostly DIY's & scrapbooking.  Scrapbooking meant sorting through the thousands of photos on my computer to print hard copies.
       Smart phones & social media nowadays make sharing your photos with friends & family all too simple.  One swipe & my entire vacation may be uploaded to Facebook.  One snapshot, a filter of my choice, some hashtags & voila!  Mostly #selfies, #ootd, #sunsets, the #handbag joining me for #happyhour, or whatever #sunnies I may be sporting in my #fllkeys life & its on Instagram for the world to see.  The digital friends we carry in our pockets make printing photos seem a thing of the past.  (Minus a handful to hang around the house.)  I personally no longer feel that desire to run to Costco to turn my roll of film in to see what photos are awaiting my viewing- simply because I don't have to.  But, I've realized that sometimes its nice to browse through hard copies in a REAL photo album rather than just on my organized albums in iPhoto.
          I found these mixed in amongst those I sorted through.  I love looking at photos because they transport you back to that time & place.  This particular time, I was walking to the post office in Poland to pick up a package & mail some postcards.  I remember stopping to admire the colorful wall art.  I hope it brightens your day like it did mine, & happy #flashbackfriday.

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Photo Diary of Europe: Streets of Polska

 Top: Lush...Jeans: American Eagle...Black Jacket: F21...Coat: Frenchi (tweed version)...Sneakers: Ash...Beanie: Pura Vida...Scarf: House...Watch: Diesel...Hobo: Rebecca Minkoff...& Cross-body (seen below only): Marc by Marc Jacobs.

      After our adventures in Kraków, we took a few days to rest before hitting the road again!  For those of you who are not into the "tourist thing," I'm going to give my history lessons a break today.  Like I said before, doesn't hurt my feelings if you just come for the photos (or if you're just being a good friend & supporting me ha).  We again wandered the streets, this time a bit outside of Kraków where the Polish man grew up.  I love street food.  Its typically where you can find the most authentic, homemade & not to mention, cheap!  On this particular day we visited your typical hole in the wall that had some amazing pierogi.  Delishhhhh.
      Ok, guilty pleasure time.  I love a great handbag.  I strongly believe that if you invest in a good one, it'll last ya just about forever.  Or, as my mom would say-long enough to pass on to your daughter.  One of my favorite handbag brands?  Rebecca.  I have loved her bags long before they were popular &  still am always pleased with her new styles.  The quality & versatility of a great handbag is key.  And, lets be real, for me, I can't purchase anything too plain.  Needless to say, I chose a turquoise studded hobo to lug all over Europe & carry just about everything my travels may call for.  Did I mention it converts to a crossbody?! Ahhhh...match made in heaven.

***Don't forget to check out the full adventure on Instagram! #bankerandjujueuroroadtrip2013 ***
   

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