It would be wrong of me to end my tribute of the infamous TV show, Pretty Little Liars, coming to an end if I didn't pay tribute to the TV characters outfits. This was the first TV show to not only get a large following for the show, but for the fashion that went along with it. For the first time, a TV show had created a fashion inspired line at a major retailer. The show had a following that went more than finding out who A was, it was to see what the girls would be wearing next while trying to save their beloved town and somehow not get arrested. Here are just a few of my favorite looks throughout the show's series.

And here it is! The final installment of the PLL tribute of Fashion Friday with the lovely Troian Bellisario. What I love the MOST about Bellisario's looks is that they are such unique pieces that she wears. This art loving girl can pull off some major pieces that sometimes seem very Spencer inspired. Here are just a few of my favorite looks from this PLL actress! What is your favorite look from the actress? Let me know in the comments below!

There has been this weird rumor going around for some time now that French people don't know how to celebrate Halloween. Well I hope that this video proves you wrong. See if you can spot me (and maybe some of my friends) in the video below of us during our Halloween celebrations here in Montpellier.


You can check out the video here!

Until next time,

If you look on my cell phone you'll surely be in for a disappointment. You'll find your most basic apps  like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram on my phone, but when it comes to games you'll have to look elsewhere. I don't have the patience or the time for computer (or iphone) related games....or so I thought. A couple of weeks ago as I was scrolling through my Linkedin I saw the announcement of Phyilymack games and the creation of two new apps: Demi Lovato's Zombarazzie Adventure and DNCE's  puzzle pop. Before I being my reviewing the game I want to make some things clear. When it comes to game applications I have very little knowledge on how they are used. This makes me the perfect tester for a product because though I am a fan of Lovato's music, playing a game on your iphone is a different story. It takes sheer dedication to continue using an app, and that's exactly why I want to review this app: to explain why I have become addicted to this game.



Let's begin! The adventure consists of Lovato, in one of her infamous one piece suits and high heel boots, alongside her beloved pooch Batman. Their task is clear:  slaying evil paparazzi that have become zombies along the way. At the moment there are only 125 levels of this candy-crush inspired game that includes matching selected colored monsters and saving Lovato's beloeved pooch from the terrible paparazzi. Similar to unblock me, the game has various roadblocks on each level that allow users to really have to be critical of their every move. Every selected level is different and each tasks will vary. Each level you have a selected number of 'tries' until you die. There are a total of five lives (or five tries) that you receive for free. After you have used up your lives you have to wait a total of 15 minutes to receive one life (again, for free). Throughout the journey you are given several tools such as swords, color potions, and the 'kiss of death' (3 of each for free). Additional purchases can be made throughout the game including buying more tools, lives, and extra moves. To my surprise, the game isn't heavily add based. As a free app, you only see adds for other games (which to my surprise aren't Philymack products) typically once a day. This only occurs if you select 'free continue' which is available once a day for users.


Overall the game has been, to my surprise, addicting. Since there is no wifi needed for this game, you can literally play it anywhere (though the free continue will only turn up when you have your date or wifi turned on). There have been times where I have stayed on a level for weeks (not kidding here) and have screamed with joy in public spaces once I have finally completed the level after what seems to be over 100 tries. If you want to make the game even more intense I would recommend putting on the music that goes with the game. It definitely amplifies the need to save poor little batman from the evil paparazzie (which in itself is a great statement on this profession).

I would recommend this game to anyone who is interested in a challenge, regardless if you are a fan of Lovato's or not. It is a game that I have somehow found myself playing form the crack of dawn to the middle of the night. If you have played this game comment below and let me know what you think of Zombarazzie or other similar apps that I should try!

Until next time,

1. Make a head count more than once
2. Really think: How many dishes do you need to make? 
3. Think about your oven and how much food you can jam in at once
4. Get creative because France doesn't have everything you need to make basic things like green bean casserole. Use potatoes chips as a substitute for caramelized onions.   
5. Breathe and relax and realize that not everything is going to be perfect like Pinterest 

The table before dinner was served

Overall it was a great Thanksgiving filled with laughs, friends, and a touch of home. Sure, maybe there wasn't turkey (I'm a vegetarian after all), the cranberries were cherries, and the green bean casserole had potatoes chips but you know what? It was a great time, and there's nothing better than that, no matter how many disasters happened in the kitchen throughout the night.

Never have I had more of a desire to be in the holiday spirit than in France. Maybe its the fact that I'm away from friends and family or the extravagant light decorations decorations that make me stare in awe every single night. Regardless, my typical Grinch like self is in the Christmas spirit.  Luckily for me, it seems as if Montpellier has out done itself when it comes to decorating the town for the holidays and themed activities (including light shows and Christmas markers) throughout the town. Here are just a few pictures of Montpellier from this weekends activities to help you get into the mood. Until next weekend, I'll just continue blasting my Christmas carols and think of table settings for dinner.

Teaching on American holidays can be hard to plan. Not only is it at times emotionally hard to process the fact that you wont be attending Grandma's annual Thanksgiving dinner this year but it can also be tricky to explain the complexity of Thanksgiving in regards to colonialism and genocide to ESL students. One tip that I have learned from researching material for my students while being a part of TAPIF is remembering to give your students credit. They know more than you probably assume. Though this doesn't mean that you shouldn't explain simple themes when it comes to holiday activities (such as food for example) it does give you the right as a teacher to try and give your students the opportunity to learn all sides of the story that we know as Thanksgiving. Below I have attached my presentation that I used for Thanksgiving. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to comment below.




Until next time,