Today I turned 22 years old. I know to many this seems so young... you're probably reading this thinking, "she's still such a baby!" But I feel like 22 is huge. This is the year I'm going to graduate from college, move out of LA, get a job, and start life in the "real world." 22 marks the end of frat parties, midterm papers, my steady diet of Special K, and living off of monthly checks from Dad. I'm so excited to enter the world of real adulthood, but am I mature enough? Am I ready? My fabulous Splendora sisters, any advice or pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

 PS Happy birthday Gina! Libras rule.

Food consumed in Marseilles:

-pain au chocolat with cappuccino

-crusty baguette with brie

-chicken, pesto, basil, and gruyere toasted panini

-three-cheese crepe

-nutella and strawberry crepe with vanilla gelato and whipped cream

This past weekend we vacationed in Marseilles, the oldest city in France and a major port. We spent the days sunning on on pebbly beaches, investigating cobblestoned alleys, buying soap dishes and linens at outdoor markets, and taking a ferry ride to a nearby island. By night we sipped cocktails at ridiculously European lounges (flashing neon lights, skinny guys in white pants and overgelled hair, bored twenty-somethings smoking like chimneys) and danced the night away at the dungeon-esque club Trolleybus.

London Fashion Weekend is like a sample sale on steroids. Seriously, I have never seen so many women going so crazy. The event, which lasts from Wednesday-Sunday in the Natural History Museum, features styles from the spring and fall collections of over 150 designers - at amazing discounts, of course. Once inside, we made our way past red velvet lounges complete with disco balls, tricked-out runway, an Elizabeth Arden counter handing out mascaras and doing mini-makeovers, a nail bar, and a free Skinny Cow frozen yogurt stand that was attracting more chicks than a shirtless Matthew McConaughey. Best of all were the hallways upon hallways of gorgeous clothes from Paul and Joe, Ben de Lisi, See by Chloe, Missoni, Annabelle, T Bags, and piles of vintage leather handbags. I left with an overstuffed goody bag, fabulous Ralph Lauren sunglasses, and a happy buzz from the endless rounds of Cosmopolitans (open bar, holla!). Just goes to show that what's bad for the bank account (and liver) is great for the spirit.

This weekend we day-tripped to Wales and explored the medieval Caerphilly Castle, complete with towers, moat, and portcullis. While inside the grand hall, we took this amazing photo. The rest of our tour wasn't really feeling it, but I think da Vinci would have been quite proud. No?

Last night our posse went to one of the final performances of In Celebration, an indie play about three adult brothers returning home for their parents' 40th wedding anniversary and the family drama that ultimately ensues. The film was allright, kind of confusing, and definitely not worth more than 15 pounds. But let's be honest ... every hot-blooded female in the theater was really only there to see uber-hottie Orlando Bloom play the youngest brother. His acting was superb (actually crying real tears!) and he kindly signed autographs and posed for pictures at the end. I was about to make my move, but then got shy and panicked. Oh well - at least I have this pic (in which he is rockin' a cholo-reminiscent 'stache) to remember him by.

I have been in London for 10 days now and absolutely adore it! I am living in a student apartment with 7 other girls (all very nice and fun), in the heart of the city by the British Museum. It has been a whirlwind of getting settled, finding my way around the tube, seeing as many sights as possible, consuming Sainsbury-brand cheap wine and htiting every club in Leicester Square, and oh yeah...occasionally going to class. Here's my firstLondon What To list, watch for updates in upcoming months!

Currently: recovering from a night at The Eve Club and catching up on homework

What to Wear: Black vest, white wifebeater, skinny jeans, and leather ankle boots

What NOT to Wear: big sunglasses ... very conspicuously American

What to Shoe: Fern pull-on boot from The Office

What to Makeup: black eyeliner from Boots

What to Hair: Straight, mid-length hair with skinny highlights

What to Shop: sale section at Miss Selfridge

Secret Weapon: London A to Z

What to Gobble/Guzzle: Cinnamon apple and raspberry muffin from Muffkins in Covent Garden

What to Local: Clubs: China White, Tiger Tiger, Zoo Club. Restaurants: Nobu London, Asia de Cuba, honey-roasted peanut vendors, croissants at The Orangerie. Sights: Portobello Road Market, picnics in Hyde Park, the London Eye, Kensington Palace.

Today is my last day as a Splendora intern. It's been a wonderful summer, full of makeup samples, celeb gossip, yummy chicken pesto sandwiches, IKEA constructing, Rihanna blasting, and boutique exploring. Oh, and a little working, writing, and blogging here and there. It has been an amazing experience that I will never forget, and I know even while abroad I will be glued to the website, obsessively updating my What Tos and reading the diary entries of my fabulous bffs. Thank you so much Karen, Gina, and everyone ... I appreciate it more than you know! I'll be back in December with stories and souveniers.

In one week, I leave for a four-month-long study abroad program in London through UCLA. I'll be studying at University of London in Bloomsbury, living in a student apartment, and couldn't be more excited! I know all you Splendoritas are knowledgable world-travelers and I need your advice! Tips, tricks, hole-in-the-wall cafes, fabulous nightclubs, discount shopping (unfortunately, I'm on a student budget), day trips, museums... let me know all your favorites! (Also welcome: what to avoid)

I can't survive without a bowl of cereal in the morning, and I always combine at least 2 or 3 different kinds to spice things up. My favorites include: Raisin Bran Crunch, Smart Start, Frosted Mini Wheats, and Honey Nut Cheerios. Add skim milk and some frozen blueberries from Trader Joes, and I'm off to a good start.