My Top 3 Favorite Ice Cream Flavors for Summer

July is not only my birthday month (the best month) but it is also National Ice Cream month and ice cream just so happens to be my favorite dessert. There are so many flavors to choose from and so many flavors being created. I thought I would give you a few of my favorite flavors.

Mint Chocolate Chip:

This has been my favorite ice cream flavor since I was a little girl. The combination of mint and chocolate is something magical. If you are looking for a nice refreshing ice cream flavor with a hint of sweetness, I suggest giving mint chocolate chip a try.

Vanilla:

A classic that also comes in many of its own flavors, i.e french vanilla, vanilla bean or my personal favorite natural vanilla. Vanilla ice cream is a flavor that everyone will love. Serve it up at parties, girls nights in, anywhere. I like to "dress-up" my vanilla ice cream by adding some M&M dark chocolate pieces or berries. For those of you who also like vanilla, comment below your favorite toppings to add.

Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream:

Thanks to Parks & Recreation I am all about the mantra "Treat Yo'self" and that is exactly what I do when I purchase Americone Dream by Ben & Jerry's. This ice cream cost about the same as a quart of ice cream and only comes in a pint which in my opinion makes it even more special. A combination of vanilla ice cream with waffle pieces covered in fudge and caramel sauce really satisfy my sweet tooth. With the perfect amount of toppings mixed in, no other toppings are needed. Comment below your favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor.

Summer is meant for a nice cold treat and that is one reason I love it soooooo much!

Life Update: College Graduate

Hi friends!

It has been exactly one month since I have graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and a minor in Marketing.

The School of Architecture at UM is a 5-year accredited program. You can check out a bit of my studio work here.

One thing I love about going the University of Miami is that the weather is amazing for a majority of the year [DUH] but I also love that the university has something for every student. A student can join a club, sport, sorority, fraternity, study abroad, and the list goes on and on.

Living my best life in Colombia

To keep myself busy and having as much fun as possible, I tried to get involved in as many activities as I could without being overwhelmed. The first organization I joined was the Frost Band of the Hour [FBOTH for short]. FBOTH is the university marching band that performs at all home games and bowl games. By being in this phenomenal organization I met some unexpected people who I would soon call sisters in Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.

Due to going the such a prestigious university, I have had many opportunities to travel. I have crossed several states and countries off my bucket list. Below are the places I have been able to experience during my time at university:

• Orlando, FL
• Seaside, FL
• Boca Raton, FL
• Naples, FL
• New York City
• El Paso, TX
• Ann Arbor, MI
• Memphis, TN
• Haiti
• Italy
• Spain
• Colombia
• Canada

I want to say a special thanks to everyone who helped me get to where I am today it has been a long but fun journey!

Comment below about your experiences in college, your study abroad experience or anything that you feel will help someone continue their road to success.


Thanks for reading!

Mother's Day on a Budget

This time next week is the day we honor those who give us so much love that we don't know how to thank them. MOMS!

I have compiled a list of gifts to get your amazing mom. This list is for anyone with a low budget (like me).

1. I like to take my mom out for brunch, lunch or dinner. Spending one on one time with my mom is one of her and my favorite things to do. So why not do it at her favorite restaurant because everyone loves food.

2. I like to get my mom a fragrance set. My mom loves fragrances and Bath & Body Works or Lush has amazing fragrances! The best thing is that you can turn your items into a gift set.

3. My mom loves movies, so if there is a good movie out I will take her to see it as a gift.

I hope you all found these ideas helpful when it comes to Mother's Day gift. If you have any ideas on great gifts to give on a budget, drop them in the comments below.

2018 Favorites: April

Another month is over! 2018 slow down, please!

Anyway, April has been a busy month for me, finishing up classes at University and figuring out where I will be after college but just like every other month I have accumulated some favorites.

My first favorite is this bright blue nail polish from pop-arazzi called Just Beachin' and it definitely makes you feel like spring has sprung.

If you didn't know, which you should have known, is that Drake dropped his new single, Nice For What and it is everything you could want in a summer jam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9BwWKXjVaI

A book I enjoyed reading this month was the collection of poems by Amanda Lovelace in the princess saves herself in this one. This collection of poems is a quick read and takes you on a journey that I am sure most can relate to.

My last favorite of this month is this miniseries on Hulu called National Treasure. I think they have only two seasons of this show but it is great! I really enjoyed watching the season titled Kiri. The show takes place in England and is about Kiri who has been adopted but still is able to visit her birth family. Unfortunately, something happens to her and the adopted parents are trying to figure out who is to blame for this occurrence. With a twisted ending, it is a great show to watch.

For the month of May, everything in my Depop and Poshmark shop will be $5. I need to get rid of a bunch of items since I will be moving soon.

Thanks for reading! Comment below some of the things you have been loving this month!

Italy 2017: Rome Squad

This is just a collection of pictures of myself and everyone who made my time abroad an amazing experience. Enjoy!

Tivoli, Italy

San Pietro

Birthday dinner in Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy

Poste Marmorata

Venice, Italy

Madrid, Spain

Trevi Fountain

Last Romemates dinner

Studying abroad was one of the best experiences I ever had. I am so happy to have been able to spend this experience with these incredible people! My Rome Family 💜

National Grilled Cheese Day

One of my favorite foods to eat with soups and chilis is grilled cheese. To have an entire day dedicated to it makes it that much more of an awesome food! A couple of friends and myself visited one of Miami's best grilled cheese places, Ms. Cheezious. If you are a lover of grilled cheese, (of the varying types) definitely visit this place when you visit Miami.

Fried Chicken & Waffle Grilled Cheese

Tomato Pesto Grilled Cheese with Mac & Cheese ft. David

Bad & Boujee crew reunited

Italy 2017: Rome Ceiling Edition

What's fascinating about the buildings in Rome is that they exuded beauty everywhere from the floor patterns, walls, and ceilings. While in Rome one thing I became fascinated with was the beautiful frescoes (paintings on the ceiling). After a while, I began to walk into every building and automatically look up.

These are a few pictures I was able to get. Enjoy! 😊😊

2018 Favorites: March

March just like February, has flown by! In just a couple of months I will be graudating and I can't wrap my brain around it. More post about graduation will be coming soon. Anyway, her are a few things I've been loving this month.

My first favorite is the book Sad Girls by Lang Leav. It is kind of hard to explain the book with out giving anything away so I will just say this; it is a book of young love, dark secrets, and tragedy. If you have already read this book comment below what you thought of it without giving anything away.

I never thought I would have another favorite city besides Rome, but alas, I really enjoyed my Spring Break trip to Toronto. Toronto is a city with friendly and rather strange people which I think is why I enjoyed it so much. People weren't afraid to be themselves and I love that.

My last favorite is the movie March of the Penguins 2: The Next Step which can be found on Hulu. The first March of the Penguins was mind blowingly amazing (I may be biased) and the second one not so much, but it had it's own character and showed just how strong of a bird the Emperor penguin actually is. The movie is narrated by Mogan Freeman and shows the typical struggle father and son Emperor penguins face when trying to survive in Antarctica.

Thanks for reading! Comment below what you have been loving this month.

P.S. I am currently selling Sad Girls on Depop and Poshmark. Check out my shops if you would like to purchase this great book.

Canada 2018: Toronto

Oh, Canada! *queue the Canadian National Anthem*

Toronto was an interesting place. It felt like the United States but friendlier. A couple of friends and I explored to streets of Toronto, ate amazing food (super unhealthy but worth it) and visited the sites for four days. See the pictures, taken by my friends and myself below to get a glimpse into our version of a Spring Break in Canada.

Day 1:

We started the first day pretty late, around dinner time to be exact. We went to an awesome restaurant by Ryerson University called Salad King. I ordered the Cashew Chicken with white rice and extra, extra spice.

Day 2:

This was a jammed packed day. We went to this amazing breakfast spot, Eggspectation. Then we went to the Royal Ontario Museum. My favorite exhibit in the museum was Here We Are Here which pays tribute to African-Canadian history. After the museum, we headed to the Cathedral Church of St. James, the Toronto sign and the Distillery District. We ended the night with the infamous poutine from Lou Dawgs.

Day 3:

Our last and final full day in Toronto was full of sore legs and limited wi-fi. We started our day at the Toronto Music Garden and then ventured to Fort York to learn about Toronto's history. We ate at this amazing restaurant called WVRST for lunch. Our day ended at the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium and of course another picture in front of the Canada sign.

Day 4:

This day was filled with being stuck and the airport but admiring the snow from inside.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my adventure in Toronto. 

You can see more of my adventures by following me on Instagram: @kristinedillon or Snapchat: @kristinedillon7

Italy 2017: Rome Food Edition

We have finally moved into the last segment of my 4-month Italian adventure. Make sure you have read my other blogs on the other cities I visited while in Italy. Those posts include the cities of Tivoli (Villa Adriana & Villa d'Este), Florence, Venice, Orvietto, and Milan.

Among the BEAUTIFUL architecture that makes Rome such a fantastic place, so does the food. Below you will see images of the meals I consumed and the names of the restaurants (if I can remember).

Hostaria San Pietro

Ristorante Arlù

Okasan

Okasan

Jerry Thomas Speakeasy

Flower Burger

Knick Knack Yoda

Scholars Lounge Irish Pub

Solo Crudo

Solo Crudo

Frigidarium

Frigidarium

Magnum

Gelateria del Teatro

I hope you enjoyed these photos and that they didn't make you too hungry. If you ever get the chance to go to Rome I highly recommend these places. 

If you have ever been to Rome, comment some restaurants you really enjoyed.

You can find me on Snapchat @kristinedillon7 and Instagram @kistinedillon