Interests & Hobbies
Fashion is something that I am very interested in and enjoy learning about every day. Trends change from year to year, so I like discovering how they come about and who or what is the inspiration for these trends. To keep my mind going and stay updated on the latest news and styles, I read VOGUE and Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). I sometimes read Vogue Italia to practice my Italian and compare the differences between the American and Italian issues. Not only am I entertained by looking at the ads and smelling the sample fragrances in the magazines, I enjoy reading the content and learning about up-and-coming designers, brands, and hearing about the successes and failures of brands. Since I want to pursue a career in fashion after college, it is crucial for me to know the names of designers, brands, and the status of them both in the industry. To view VOGUE’s Official Website, click on the VOGUE image to the right of this paragraph.
Traveling has become a passion of mine that I have recently discovered. When I studied abroad in Rome during the Fall 2013 semester, I discovered how fun and exciting traveling is, learning about new cultures, trying new foods, and roaming foreign cities for three and a half months. This was my first time ever leaving the United States, so I experienced a major culture shock when I first arrived to Rome. During my time abroad, I traveled to different regions of Italy, such as Venice, Florence, Pisa, Ventotene, Amalfi Coast, different parts of Rome, and Sicily. I also stayed in Barcelona, Spain for four days where I visited many museums, such as Palau Güell and Pablo Picasso’s Museum, and roamed the streets of the city to fully experience the culture. My favorite trip was going to Sicily because I was able to stay with my family there that I have not seen for years. I was able to trace back my family routes by visiting the town of Siculiana, where my grandfather was born, where he lived, and the mausoleum that holds my great grandparents and other family members. After that trip, I discovered a part of me that I did not know existed. Sicily felt like home to me, and I look forward to going back soon.
I am one of the biggest foodies you will ever meet. I love preparing meals at home and also trying dishes from different cuisines. I like going to different restaurants and comparing the taste and quality of dishes that I had in the past from other eateries. I am a Sicilian-Mexican-American, and even though the cultures behind each ethnicity are different, they are similar in that the family is constantly revolving around good food and making sure that it is prepared to perfection. When I visited my family in Sicily, I tried an authentic Sicilian pizza for the first time, and it made me not look at American pizza the same! The ingredients are so fresh yet taste so different and the crust has a different texture and consistency compared to American pizza. One thing I did notice throughout my time in Italy is that mozzarella tastes so different compared to mozzarella made in the United States. Italian mozzarella tastes a little saltier and has a thicker texture once you pop it in your mouth, while American mozzarella tastes blander and softer. Cooking is an art that contributes to the way we live our lives every day, and food has been something that continues to change my lifestyle as I try different dishes and learn how to make new things.
Thrifting is something I enjoy doing and do often. I love taking my time to go through the store to find designer label clothing and accessories for affordable prices. I gain fulfillment out of finding good deals because I can be fashionable and trendy without paying full price for it. Some of my favorite consignment shops are Green Street Consignment, Buffalo Exchange, and Double Take, a high fashion consignment store located in Red Bank, New Jersey, close to my hometown. When I thrift it is either hit or miss; I either find amazing deals or come out of the store with nothing! Regardless, I enjoy seeing what the stores have in stock and I also give in clothes and accessories that I no longer like or wear anymore.