Venice - Day 5

To be honest, I just really didn't want to turn around. I assumed I was going in some sort of circle, but I kept thinking that even if I wasn't, I'd hit a hard right at some point and end up back at my hotel. Safe to say that didn't happen. (Confession: my favorite thing in the world to do is get LOST in new places.) I ended up passing family owned vineyards, riding along canals, abandoned farms, and eventually came to a construction site that I just knew would force me to turn around. Luckily a group of bikers I had been playing tag with decided to sneak through the site, and I quickly followed. I hit a highway and chose a direction, only to whip out my phone that was equipped with a slight map of the town and I noticed I was going in the wrong direction. *gasps for air* THEN I turned around and went straight until I realized I was entering my town from the opposite direction. I would have never known that had I not rode to what I now know was the very edge of town just days before. 

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for more photos and the full story!

Venice - Day 4 //Murano

The day started with me taking a bike ride, like other days, but this time I went in the opposite direction. This time I decided to push my limits and explore. This quickly became my morning ritual, but on this day I had to turn around and head back to the hotel. It would be one of my last few days in Venice, and it was only right to spend it around the canals. Only once we arrived at the actual canals, a ferry to the small, colorful island of Murano was #1 on the itinerary. 

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for more photos and details!

Venice - Day 3 //Milan

Original goal: never be caught dead in the U.S. on my birthday ever again.

New goal: When traveling internationally, don't stick to exploring only one city during your stay.

What happened: I SPENT MY BIRTHDAY IN FREAKIN' MILAN!!!

Go over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details and check out more pics!

Venice - Day 2

As much as I love taking photos, I force myself to remember to be consciously present and in the moment. Yes, it'd be nice to have a physical photograph of every little thing, but my mental photographs have been doing a great job. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't be so busy taking the photo that you forget to look up and enjoy the visions before you. I make it my business to tuck my camera away only to wander off and enjoy whatever sights I can find. Even if that means stumbling into a church built in the 17th century or an 18th century cemetery. It's crazy how many times I've wandered off alone down a random street or into a small, dark shop just to take a peak. If it's morbid, looks creepy, or just plain scary, you'll find me there observing.

Check out tons more photos and the FULL blog post, ONLY at TheMoniqueMichelle.com!!!

Venice - Day 1

Let's also pretend that I haven't been back in town for well over a week, and that instead, I just touched down yesterday, and that I am bringing this post to you ASAP because I am just that dedicated. First things first. After an overnight flight, which I've become accustomed to with most international travel, we finally arrived at our family owned hotel in Quarto D'Altino, Italy. It was quaint, charming, and all the words that come to mind when "family owned" fits the bill. We were kind of in the middle of nowhere, but that was just fine because while waiting to check in I realized that the bikes parked right out front, were free. Yes, $free.99 is the best price and will always get my attention. This would turn out to be something to do on the mornings that we didn't run to town (and by town I mean take the 30+ minute ride into Santa Lucia/the Grand Venetian Canals) on the first train.

Head to THEMONIQUEMICHELLE.COM NOW to get the full blog post!!

Shop TheMoniqueMichelle

Hey guys, I told you I was releasing a soft launch of the Shop feature on my site, but I didn't mention all the new pieces I have available. Here's a chunk of newbies:

All orders go out within 2 days! What are you waiting for?!

TheMoniqueMichelle.com

What to do... #WashingtonDC

Today proves that I found the perfect job. Not because of the work, but more so because of the likeminded people. One coworker is on the second leg of his Spain/Amsterdam vacation, one coworker flies out tomorrow to go to Switzerland for a couple weeks, another literally decided on a whim last friday that he's going to go to Germany this thursday, and today I fly out to Venice. Do I fit in or what?

As I work from home, which loosely translates to: START PACKING, you have a flight to catch this evening, I think about how going away is nice, but exploring your own city is just as good when there's no time, or money to get away. Every now and then I remind you that I am from Washington, DC. So there's your reminder. Born, raised, currently living here. I think it lives up to the title of the "Nations Capitol." We're a perfect mixture fast-paced and chill, and there is always something to do.

How about we start with exactly what I did when I recently had a guest that had never been to the city...

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the scoop!

That time I went to NYC on a whim...

EXCERPT: I had a long itinerary of things to do during my brief, few hour trip. The first item on my list was a quick brunch as soon as I got to the city. It should have only lasted about 2 hrs. Enough time to indulge in the quasi-unlimited mimosa's then head to Lincoln Center for some Fashion Week shots, Brooklyn for a solo dinner, and back to Manhattan to make my bus. Luckily, things didn't quite work out that way. Brunch resulted in my staying in New York well into the next day. Funny how life works. So I'd like to give a personal shoutout to my sister who unfortunately couldn't make the trip in short notice, and the friend who literally spoke to me several times since her invite, just never regarding whether or not she'd actually be able to go. 'Twas truly a blessing in disguise. 

Check out the rest only on TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Canada - Day 3

This was the last full day in Canada where we just found an event for something to do. Luckily, it was Jerkfest 2014. Now I can give you some spiel straight from their website, or I can just say it was a festival centered around foods made with jerk seasoning. There was a play area for kids, a mini caribbean concert, and funnel cakes and ice cream trucks. You can't have a festival without funnel cakes and ICE CREAM Trucks!

Get the rest of this post only at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

SHOP TheMoniqueMichelle - Soft Launch

TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Hey Guys! I've been up to a little bit of everything lately. I just just JUST started my new job and have been getting situated with that AND I've been trying to revamp my site the way I originally intended for it to be....all while trying to touch base with you at least once a week. Once a week isn't hardly enough, I'll shoot for 3x. For some time now I've also been in the process of curating the perfect collection of pieces to make available to you. Most of my favorite bloggers are on the west coast, well actually all of them are. I vicariously live through them and their summer/fall-ish pieces all year round. I know fall is coming up but I want my pieces to still be cute and minimal, and when the chill hits outside, just throw on a jean or moto jacket to seal the outfit. I'm in a West Coast state of mind.

Having said all that...while I'm still curating this collection to perfection (rhyme unintended), I've made a couple pieces and accessories available for purchase! I've styled them with additional pieces from my closet, but you can even put them together and head out the door. Everything will ship within 3-5 business days (it'll be more like 2-3 but shhh don't tell anyone) and only within the United States. There is a flat shipping rate of $6. This is a soft roll out so trust me, more is coming very soon. If you have any questions click the CONTACT link and hit me up. 

XO- Monique

P.S. Here's a glimpse of my America the Beautiful, Floral Flag Tee ONLY AVAILABLE AT TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Canada - Day 2

After Niagara Falls we immediately drove to Toronto. I remember that as soon as we got to the city, we parked and found food. Actually, most of the time, if we were driving around, we were looking for food...and I'm okay with that.

Naturally, when we woke up in Toronto, the first place we went was to the.....lake. Ha, no food yet. We headed to Lakeshore Drive for one of the best views of Lake Ontario.

Check out TheMoniqueMichelle.com for more!

Trying to Land a Job?

I always tell people that I have a million thoughts per minute, and I may be under-exaggerating. After constantly finding Buzzfeed lists and entire Huffpost articles that are identical to my thoughts, I figured I'd start penning them so that I can beat those thought stealers to the punch. Where better to put those thoughts than here? So, here goes...

Are you frustrated with your job hunt? Well, you've come to the right place. There is one main thing we MUST do, and yet many of us refuse to. You ready for it? Here it is:

(go to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for the rest of the post!)

Creme of the Crop Top

Remember that time I went to NYC to be apart of the audience for The Wendy Williams Show? Well, a little shopping happened during that trip and I found my absolute favorite crop top at a Zara located on Fifth Ave. I specify the location because there may be several Zara's in the area, and having visited more than one in the city, I would have to say that this one is my favorite. 

For more photos and details head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Costa Rica - Day 4

You ever have so much fun that you forget to document it? Well, my day was a mixture of that and being so busy focusing on the activities that I really didn't have time. This day started with zip lining above a gorgeous canopy.

Go to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to find out about my zip lining, hiking, horseback riding, and more!

Costa Rica - Day 3

When recently asked about my trip - well it was more so mentioned and I just oozed information - I think the best advice I gave was....DON'T BUY ANY TRIPS UNTIL YOU GET THERE. I am the ultimate planner and like to purchase all things (especially vacations) in quadruple advance...whatever that means. However, this time, I was more inclined to wait. The main reason was because when I found out where I would be staying, I automatically skipped off to some website like tripadvisor.com to see guest photos. One photo that stood out was of a billboard that was for the adventure booking office on the resort grounds. This is what caused me to WAIT. THIS is where I found and booked the Aquatour that consisted of snorkeling, fishing, a BBQ on a remote beach, and plain 'ol FUN. 

YOU HAVE TO go to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for the entire post and even more pictures. Also, as promised, is an excerpt from my travel journal. 

Costa Rica - Day 2

What can I say? Day 2 of Costa Rica, after what I'm just going to refer to as an entire day of traveling, was my relaxation day. Luckily for me, it turned out to be a FREE day in more ways than one. The hotel happened to have a small location where guests could book tours. It really came in handy as we made more than a couple visits to the office. The best part about it was that the tours/adventures/excursions all left right from the beach of the hotel. What worked out was that as we were looking into a couple excursions, we were told that a little later that day, probably within the hour, a boat was leaving from the island to go to another small beach about a 10 minutes ride away. Now, that 10 minutes definitely felt like a 20-25 minute ride, but I for one wasn't complaining because I enjoyed the ride and it was free. We ate breakfast and got packed to go.

HEAD TO TheMoniqueMichelle.com for the full post, tons more pics, and a journal excerpt from my personal travel journal. 

Guanacaste, Costa Rica - Day 1

I know it's been a couple weeks, but trust me, I have been waiting to bring you this trip. I scooted off to Guanacaste, Costa Rica for a few days and it's safe to say, I had the time of my life. My mom keeps telling me how this has been my best trip, and hey, moms are ALWAYS right. How about we start with Day 1?

I still feel like I spent the entire day either in the sky, or in an airport. After two layovers and three separate flights, I actually arrived in Costa Rica. As I walked out of the airport, I was greeted with the night sky. The actual ride to my resort was the craziest journey because everything surrounding Liberia's airport seems so remote and deserted. Even in the daytime, I did not see as many people as I would see within a couple blocks radius here in D.C. As we rode to my final destination I sensed mountains surrounding me and was always either going deeper into the mountains or ascending up some dirt round. Then finally, I arrived here...

Jet on over to THEMONIQUEMICHELLE.COM to check out the full post and the stunning pictures that accompany it. HURRY!

Rainy Daze

This past Saturday, the Washington Redskins (NFL) Cheerleaders held tryouts at FedEx Field. I had the honor of being a judge. A lot of people don't know, but I cheered for one measly year of my life. People look at my physique and assume I'm athletic and must have played a sport, but nope, the most I did was cheer (aside from karate for a few years when I was little). I think this one year is the reason I have such respect for cheerleaders and the sport. Now NFL cheering seems more like some type of dance to me and does not seem as intense or physical as say, high school or college cheering. However, I took my job as a judge quite seriously. 

The outfit I chose to wear to the judging was a last minute decision. I opted for a cute, fun and flirty look and was on my way out of the door for a mini photo shoot before heading to the Stadium. The rain had something else in mind... SO it turned into a few quick pics at home, lol.

Get the full blog post and outfit details ONLY at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

So, what had happened was...

Your presence is needed over at TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details on this outfit as well as read about where I was when I took it...Also, find out what in the world Claire Sulmers of FashionBombDaily.com has to do with anything....hmmmm HURRY, check it out!

2014 Must Haves (Camel Coats, Boyfriend Jeans, etc.)

I know we are 2+ months into 2014, but it's never too late for a course in the "must haves", especially since it's still pretty chilly out. You may have noticed the trends I am about to point out, and some have been around for a short while, but sit back and enjoy....

Head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details of this post! QUICK!

Great Falls

              A co-worker of mine had told me how amazing Great Falls National Park was for it hiking trails. Little did I know how amazing the scenery was as well. Living in Washington, DC means I don't get to see miles and miles of nature, so it being in Virginia was a super plus! 

Check out TheMoniqueMichelle.com for my gallery of this National Park!

What I Wore

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details on this jumpsuit and blazer!