CouchSurfing!

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet!

COUCHSURFING

It is an amazing community that forms connections between people so that you can have a place to stay when you're travelling or so that you can meet people from around the world. I did it this summer when I visited St.John's and arrived early for the conference. I was such a great experience with nice people and great hospitality. And I have to give a shout out to my Big Bro' for introducing me to this amazing site.

When I first told my friends that I was planning on staying on a strangers couch for a couple nights in a city I have never been to they were worried and insisted it was a bad idea.

Here are 4 reasons it's safe and great:

1. site allows you to communicate with the 'surfy' before hand 

-this means you can get to know them if you so choose

- you can make sure your trip is all planned out (timing and such)

2. you can view their friends, where they live, and what they look like

-this means if you show up at their door and they don't look like their picture you can always run away

-it means you can pick a neighborhood thats near the 'action' you want

-you can know if you have friends in common

3. people post reviews of who they have stayed with or who has stayed with them

-the best safety tool!

-if someone gives a bad review you know its not the best idea.

-you know how often/many times the have had surfers/have surfed

4. you can see a profile that tells you all about them

-this way you know their interests and hobbies and age

-it lets you surf with someone more like you and avoids awkwardness

This isn't only for young whippersnappers like myself and I really think that everyone should try it either by offering their couch or going traveling for cheap. I have only heard great stories and had such an amazing experience myself.

Here are some pictures from my trip in May (St.John's, Newfoundland, Canada). It is such a beautiful and friendly place and a must see city in my opinion.

a pretty and old church.

Jelly Bean Houses

they come in every colour, many of which are super bright and fun

It's on the ocean...

actually, the island has the farthest eastern point in Canada

Their Mascot - A Labrador

More Jelly Bean Houses

(you're going to see a print I bought of these later this year...)

Book Review - When God was a Rabbit

This book has amazing imagery and similes. I think that everyone can find a relationship that they relate to within this story. I miss writing like this, from my amazing high school reading lists. It is a narrative of a girl as she grows and focus's on her bond with her brother. 

As the back cover says:

"This is a book about a brother and a sister. 

It's a book about childhood 

and growing up, friendships and 

families, triumph and tragedy 

and everything in between. 

More than anything, it's a book 

about love in all its forms."

Here is the article written by the Globe and Mail.

The author, Sarah Winman, was born in 1964, in London, England, and this is her first book after being an actor for 23 years. Sadly, she isn't going to be coming out with another book, she says for around 2 years (though she has begun it).

I loved the book. It calls upon ones own memories and is beautifully written.

Outfit #2

NEW YORK is coming up soon and I can't wait. I am trying to plan all my outfits before hand so that I make sure I don't need to pack my whole wardrobe in order to guarantee that I am stylish every minute I am there.

I like crop tops but this was the first one that I felt comfortable in since the shorts were high enough (without being highwaisted) to pretty much reach the bottom of the shirt and not show off my tummy. And this is saying something considering my torso is long.

ps. sunglasses always in summer. 

but I can never find ones that really look good on my face! need help with that.

-beige crop top with floppy pocket on the bottom left corner and 1/3 length sleeves, it is kind of a thicker material but as you can see it lets air through and fits really lose

(H&M)

What are your thoughts on crop tops??

-Black short shorts

H&M ($10 i think)

I love these partly because I hate when shorts are expensive

-Aldo shoes ($80) - strappy sandals with the smallest hint of a heel

These are also a favourite shoe purchase and work for so many occasions fancy or casual

-Urban Outfitters Clutch 

-Purple slate necklace that I switched to a longer chain (bought at Edmonton Folk Fest)

-Large hoop earrings with floral printed cloth wrapped around (these are the first hoop earrings I ever bought and though I bought them as is, it is a great idea if you're not so into the big gold hoop style anymore but still keep them in your jewelry box)