Years ago, we took a family vacation to Mexico and fell in love with the ultimate relaxation destination. Since this was now our sixth vacation to Mexico, we knew a what to expect which made it easier for us to plan our vacation. Since we have been to Mexico quite a few times now, we know what to look for in a good resort. This year, we stayed at the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort in Riviera Maya, which was slightly smaller than past resorts we've stayed at but there was still plenty to do there. The resort had a stunning beach area although unfortunately there was quite a bit of seaweed in the water. But regardless of the seaweed, the beach was still one of our favorite parts. Everything from the food and drinks, to the amazing service and tropical scenery was nothing short of amazing at this resort.

Barcelo Maya ↝ Upon our arrival in Cancun, we took a shuttle to our resort and settled in for some drinks. You could find us on any given day sipping on mojitos, strawberry daiquiri's, or pina colada's while enjoying the pool or the beach. Our days were filled with tanning by the pool, relaxing by the beach, and lots of sun. Admittedly, we probably spent a little too much time in the sun because we both burned pretty badly which is pretty rare for us (just keeping it real 😂). Thankfully we didn't let that distract us too much and we continued to enjoy our vacation.

You can't go to Mexico without indulging in chips and guac and Mexican rice and beans. The food at these resorts is not all the highest quality but there are plenty of food options to accommodate all different tastes so you're sure to find something you enjoy. Our family personally likes to eat seafood at the buffet areas since they offer so many different types and it is always fresh. We also got to pick a few nights to eat at sit-down restaurants within the resort and we chose the Japanese, seafood, and Mexican restaurants. The Japanese hibachi was our favorite because who doesn't love a show while eating? Plus we got sushi as an appetizer!

One of our favorite things about staying in resorts is that the fun doesn't end when the sun goes down.  We had a good amount of options for nighttime activities including shows (which are always themed and usually highly entertaining), clubs, or even just grabbing a drink and walking around by the beach. You would think laying out in the sun all day would tire us out but come 10pm, we were always ready to hit the night scene.

NEXT STOP ↝ Playa Del Carmen. Our family decided to take a trip to Playa to explore the town. Before wandering around Playa, we stopped at a Tequila factory where we tasted several different types of aged tequila (who knew there were so many different kinds?). We aren't the hugest tequila fans but it was still fun to taste test different exotic flavors like guava and caramel. After we finished exploring the tequila factory, we shuttled over to Playa. The town itself is charming and vibrant with tons of colorful buildings. It also has some great beach areas if you are looking to take a dip in the water. We opted to skip the beach in Playa and walked around Fifth Avenue instead, which is lined with the cutest little shops. It's a great place to find souvenirs as well and usually cheaper than buying them at resorts! We highly recommend a day trip to Playa if you are staying in the Riviera Maya area.

After visiting Playa, we had a few more days of relaxation ahead of us. We spent our last few days soaking up the sun before we headed home. As the sun set set on our last day, we were sad to leave but Mexico has not seen the last of us. We can't wait to come back but for now adios from us!

XOXO

Greetings from Riviera Maya, Mexico! This is my 6th time in Mexico and I swear it never gets old! I have been enjoying spending time with my family in pure relaxation mode! It was so nice to have a vacation after an extremely stressful freshman year of college which I will get into in a separate blog post.

Now more about this look! Although I practically lived in swimsuits during the day as Ivana and I soaked up the Mexican sun by the beach and pool, the nights called for some fancier looks. This mustard yellow dress was perfect since the material makes it airy and breathable (even the nights here are humid!) and I have been absolutely loving anything mustard yellow this season! Unfortunately, I can't link the shoes since they are not available anymore but this dress pairs perfectly with just about any nude heel!

That's it for today but we have our Mexico travel diary coming very soon! Bye for now lovelies!

SHOP THE LOOK:

Okay ladies, we all know the struggle. Time has come to find the PERFECT dress for an event (whether it be a formal, prom, wedding, work event, etc.) and you have no idea where to start. Speaking from personal experience, I have scoured the internet for hours and HOURS looking for a dress that catches my eye. I am very picky when it comes to dress shopping, so I need lots of options. Sometimes, the countless websites I look at aren't even enough and it can get frustrating. That being said, I have spent so much time looking at various different sites and online boutiques that I have gathered quite the list. If you are like me and need a list of good websites to find unique dresses, keep reading!

Hello all, Ivana here! I just started my second semester of college and it is safe to say it will be a busy one! Right before the semester started I went on a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado with some of my girl friends and had the best time before reverting back to study mode for the next few months. I already want to go back! We stayed in a ski-in, ski-out cabin, and though I don't know how to ski (someone teach me please), the view was absolutely gorgeous! Breckenridge is the cutest town! Main Street is full of colorful houses which are all the little restaurants and shops which I absolutely loved! Since I unfortunately do not know how to ski (again, someone teach me), I had an abundance of time to explore the town with some friends who also did not ski. I still had so much fun though checking out all the cute shops and shopping around, trying the local food places, and going on gondola rides which I highly recommend! My favorite little food place was a bakery we visited for breakfast called "La Francaise." It had amazing coffee, crepes, and baked goods! It also snowed while we were there which made the town look even more gorgeous. It was the literal definition of a winter wonderland.

Hello all! We are both settling into the new year, and we hope everyone is having a great start to 2019! With the new year comes a reflection period for both of us. Yes, we know that sounds cheesy and cliché, but it is important to take a step back from daily life every once in a while and to work on bettering yourself by evaluation. This year we decided to set New Years resolutions for ourselves, but not in the usual "I'm going to workout everyday this year" way. Those types of resolutions, though good for motivation, are simply unrealistic. This year we are both working on broader and more simple adjustments that will help us lead a better lifestyle. For one, we have both decided to try having a more positive outlook and attitude. Last year came with a big helping of change for both of us, and some was unexpectedly not the greatest. However, we are both going to try and look at the glass "half full" as they say, instead of "half empty." Overall, we are looking to lead a positive and more balanced life in 2019, which will happen by keeping our physical bodies, as well as our minds healthy. For some inspiration we have been finding passages and quotes that speak to us because it is always good to have inspirational daily reminders. We hope you all join us in being healthier, more positive, optimistic, and open to change this year, happy new year everyone ☆☽

What a year! At the start of 2018, we were starting our last semester of senior year of high school and looking forward to graduation. We had just ended our internship and were doing tons of work with brands we love! At the time, we were both in four classes at school and spent the rest of our days working on college classes - thank GOODNESS we got college Biology out of the way!

Over the summer, we traveled around Europe. Visiting Spain was an absolute dream as we strolled around Barcelona, Costa Brava, and many other Spanish towns. Afterwards we flew to our home country, Bulgaria, to visit family, friends, our favorite cities, and of course, the Black Sea! When we came back from Europe, we had a lot to get done before leaving for college. Kalina got her wisdom teeth out (and somehow recovered without taking most of the recommended pain killers 😬) and we spent a lot of time with friends before we all left.

And then came college... We were sad to be leaving each other but also excited. Obviously, our college experiences to date are very different but we FaceTime almost everyday to catch up. We both have amazing friends at our respective schools that we are so lucky to have met. But while our college experiences are different, we have found some similarities. We both stayed in the Midwest for college and often struggle with why we chose to do so. 2019 will be a telling year but with that said, we are both so grateful for the friendships and experiences we've had thus far. Though it was a tough semester for both of us, it was still a lot of fun! From moving in (with the best roomies and floormates ever!) to tailgating and gamedays, to date parties, to all the amazing friends we made, it was a semester full of memories.

We had an amazing holiday season with family and friends and hope you all did too! Here are some photos that highlight what we have been up to this year...







2018 was definitely a year to remember and we can't wait to take on 2019! We hope the year holds amazing things for you all! Thanks for sticking with us this year and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

XOXO

IVANA 

• Sunglasses
• Nanette Lepore compression leggings
• Mustard yellow flowy pants
• Bath bombs & bath salts 
• David & Young pom pom beanie hat 

• Leather jacket 
• Statement earrings 

xoxo

 →  SOFIA // Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and although we may be biased since we are from there, the city is amazing. It is filled with history (as is most of Bulgaria) and is constantly bustling. The city is easy to get around with public transportation options like the metro, taxis, and public buses.

→ VARNA // Visit the sea garden (which has an amusement park and is therefore the perfect place if you're traveling with kids!), the Varna Cathedral, and nearby beaches in this beautiful city.

→ PLOVDIV // This ancient city is full of charm. Roam around the old cobble stone streets, shop till you drop, and visit the amphitheater for a live performance (especially on a summer night!). Plovdiv has tons of cute coffee shops scattered around the city as well for you to take a break from all the walking and exploring you will be doing in the city.



if you love the beach...

→ SOZOPOL // As a major seaside resort in Bulgaria, Sozopol truly combines an "old town" feel with modern. It is one of the oldest beach towns on the Bulgarian Black Sea. Take a stroll down Old Town Sozopol to get a feel for the historical vibe of the town and make sure to get a huge Nutella crepe while you're at it!

→ SUNNY BEACH // This beach destination is the place to be if you're young and looking for a good time. Sunny Beach boasts one of the largest party scenes and there is no shortage of "fun" here! Sunny beach truly never sleeps so if you're not out at night, expect to hear loud music and talking through the night.

→ NESEBAR // Stroll along the charming cobblestone streets of this old town filled with old houses, history, and so much more. You can also take a dip in the sea and can come here for a day trip if you're staying in Sunny Beach!



for the adventurer...

→ VITOSHA MOUNTAIN // You can't visit Bulgaria without checking out the Balkan Mountains. Perfect for a hike, the scenic Vitosha mountain is definitely a must see if you love nature and adventures!

→ RILA MOUNTAINS & MONASTERY // Similar to Vitosha Mountain, Rila is another beautiful must-see destination in Bulgaria.



food to try...

BANITSA or BANICHKI // both are good but there's a big difference between the two!

BAKLAVA // if you love dessert, this one is for you. This traditional Bulgarian dessert is made with filo dough, nuts, and is doused in a sugar syrup.

 LARGE CREPES // don't miss out on the huge crepes here! I personally love crepes with Nutella so I usually opt for that but the crepe stand have tons of topping choices!



xoxo,

Kalina ♡