BIG Life News!

~ Photography by Craig Perry of Pop Up Photo ~

~ Outfit Details: Red Dress ~ Earrings ~ Charles David Wedges (old) but LOVING these gold peep toes here & here ~ Vineyard Vines Clutch (old) but loving this gold clutch here ~ Kate Spade Sunglasses (old) but very similar Kate Spade Sunglasses here (and on sale!) ~

What’s going on?

Hi loves! I have some BIG life news to share!……….. In just a few short weeks, I’m moving to Milan! I know what you’re maybe thinking…”this is completely coming out of left field!” Yes and no. I have always thought about continuing my education and getting a masters degree. I LOVE school, and I’m not sure I was ever really ready to accept the “you are either born with it or you’re not” answer that I was hearing from many mentors and stylists. I have been so fortunate to learn from some truly talented individuals, but I always had an itch to learn more and to cultivate the talents that I naturally have a gifting for. I had known about Domus Academy’s Styling and Visual Merchandising program for a couple of years and had was interested in their Brand Communicator Scholarship Competition that they partner with Vogue Talents to host. Well…I entered this scholarship competition…I shockingly ended up winning…and am thrilled to begin classes this September!

What’s next?

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll pack up my town house (the longest I’ve lived in one place since 8th grade), move my things back to my parent’s house in PA and get ready for my flight on the 28th. There’s still a lot of loose ends to tie up (*ahem…getting my VISA), but I am just trusting that all will work itself out in the end (trying to stay positive!). Upon hearing the news, one of my sweet friends said, “EAT PRAY LOVE! You’ll figure it out!” (a truly wonderful quote), however, I wish it were all that easy! I have a LOT of goodbyes to say and I’ve been hugely procrastinating on this part. I think that I have the BEST roommate and friends a girl could ask for, and everyone has been SO supportive in the most heartwarming ways. Even just typing this it makes me want to cry happy tears of complete gratefulness. The same goes for my parents, my brother, my sister-in-law and extended family. Everyone has been so encouraging and reassuring in the times when I’m scared to make this big move. Leaving all of your friends and loved ones indefinitely is a BIG leap for sure, but I’m ready to be thrown out of my comfort zone in order to grow! I want to stretch myself, meet new people, experience a different culture, cultivate my creative eye in a new way, learn a second language, hone my skills in the field that I love, and see a different side of this industry. I fully welcome the challenges ahead and can’t wait to meet new people! A lovely woman at my club who went to grad school in Florence said, “your colors here will dim but your colors in Italy will get brighter and that’s ok…it makes one big watercolor.” I love that! It’s a picture that I’ve been holding onto in my mind and coming back to when things seem overwhelming.

What does this mean for the blog?

This big move means that the blog will only be more interesting and fun to visit (I promise)! I will continue to post fun looks, gift guides, round ups, and feature incredibly empowering women to inspire you all! I will work hard to deliver even better content and will carefully select pieces that you can shop from the US! Is there anything in particular that you love about reading the blog? If there’s something new that you would like me to feature or if there’s something that you want to make sure that you continue to see here, please let me know! Shoot me an e-mail at wearbowsandsmile@gmail.com! I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you all so much for following the blog! I can’t wait to bring you along on all of my adventures in Italy and abroad!

Gratefully with love,

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Rhiana

P.S.

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“The best journies answer the questions that, in the beginning, you didn’t even think to ask” ~ 180 degrees south