Hello hello!!!! So I’m sure if you follow my blog at http://www.lifewithlilred.com, you’ll be familiar with one of my best friends Kate. She’s my partner in crime…especially when it comes to shopping and wild and crazy ideas! Well we just came up with one of our best ideas yet. After we both graduate college in two years we would like to take a month long trip to Europe as a graduation gift to ourselves. We’ve both been working very hard in school. As you know I’m getting my Associate of Arts degree at Tri-C while Kate is getting her Bachelors of Business degree at the University of Akron. What better way to celebrate a college degree than blowing our savings fund on one final hurrah before we enter the adult working world?! Before I get farther into our plan of tom foolery and travel, I think it would be wise to tell you guys more about my wild friendship roller coaster ride with Kate. We met in high school French class when I was a freshman and she was a senior. We both adored our French teacher and she clearly loved both of us a lot, because she was the reason we became friends. I was going through a lot of shit in my teenage years. As a matter of fact, freshman year was probably one of the worst years of my life. Mrs. Teacher thought it would be good for me to have an older student to look up to, sort of like a mentor, so she privately asked Kate to take me under her wing…and the rest is history. We’ve seriously been inseparable every since our awkward first interactions in that fateful French class. Our friendship has taken us everywhere from shopping trips, a night out at the movies, car rides to nowhere, and assembling a ninety year old vintage Christmas tree. (We actually assembled that tree over Starbucks Peppermint Mochas last evening…we plan on making handmade ornaments to decorate it with while consuming a lot of wine. Once the decorations are made, rest assured that pictures will be posted!) One of my fondest memories of my friendship with Kate was when I got my temporary license and she taught me how to drive. I’m actually pretty confident that Kate would tell you that that’s her favorite friendship memory as well. It was a blustery September day when I got my temps and later that evening Kate took me out to Starbucks to celebrate. (We obviously love caffeine!) After we downed our drinks she drove to the middle of god knows where in Akron to an empty parking lot and parked the car. I asked her what she was doing and she said “you’re going to drive”. I remember being so nervous and excited all at once. I hesitantly switched places with her and got behind the wheel of her car, Winston. She taught me the basics of accelerating, braking, turning, and parking. I drove around and around the parking lot practicing my left and right hand turns until it grew dark. Remember that line of Perks of Being a Wallflower where Charlie stated that he felt infinite? That’s exactly what I felt like that night. Ever since the first conversation Kate and I had about Harry Potter during our French class, she’s been like a big sister to me. Words can’t even describe how much I love her and how thankful I am to have her as my best friend.

So now that you know a little about us and our almost seven year friendship, here’s what I’m asking of you guys: What are some places in Europe that are must sees? We plan on spending a week in Paris, a week in London, and then spend the rest of the two weeks exploring and country hopping. What sights would we regret not going to? What’s the best stores or boutiques to shop at? (Because Kate and I LOVE shopping!) What restaurants do you recommend? And do you know of any cheap hotels or hostels that we could stay in? We’ll also be making a http://www.gofundme.com account within a month or so, so if you’re generous enough to donate to our travels, we’ll send you a handmade goody made with love by Kate and I and seal it with my red lipstick kiss. As soon as our account is made it will be posted to lifewithlilred! We would also be thrilled to meet up for coffee with any of my lovely European readers!

Thanks so much for reading and if you have any recommendations for us PLEASE leave me a comment and let’s chat! Don’t be a stranger! And if you read my reviews on American Horror Story Freak Show, made sure you check in with me tomorrow night for my review on the new episode!! Happy Tuesday! -Sarah