Travel guide: Venice on a budget

TO STAY

You’re going to get lost in Venice, it’s inevitable. Staying off the mainland will save you time and money. Although it takes about thirty minutes by taxi boat to get to Camping Rialto, it beats the hour trying to find your way through the Venetian alleyways with all your luggage. For under 15€, you get a two-bed cabin and shared bathroom.

TO EAT

Meal at Taverna San Trovas

Eating in Venice can be pricey, but it doesn’t have to be. For lunch or a light snack, grab a Mozzarella in carrozza (fried mozzarella sandwich) for only 1.60€ or add ham for 2€ at Rosticceria Gislon. For dinner, you can have a three-course meal (including the best pasta you will have in your life) and a shared half litre of wine for under 25€ at Taverna San Trovas.

TO DO

My friend and I on a 'gondola'

Gondola rides can cost 80€ - 100€ depending on the time of day. What if I told you you could take a gondola ride for 2€? Just hop on a traghetto instead! Traghettos are a shared taxi gondola that take you from one side of a canal to the other. You are only on it for a couple minutes, but it’s long enough for you to snap a picture and tell all your friends you’ve been on a gondola in Venice! If you still want to see Venice by water, take an hour boat taxi for 20€.

Island of Burano

My favourite part of Venice are the nearby island villages of Murano, Burano and Torcello. For 20€, you can see all three islands by taking a Venice Islands Tour.

Do not miss the Venice Free Walking Tour. I have taken many walking tours and this one was by far my favourite. Just tip your guide whatever you think they deserve (5-10€) at the end of the tour.

What are your money saving tips for Venice?

Travel guide: Santorini on a 30 euro budget

Santorini on 30 euros a day may not seem too difficult with the recent financial crisis happening in Greece, but Santorini is one of, if not, the most visited Greek island. This means that while Greece may be cheap, you can easily find yourself throwing your money away like Lil Jon’ at tourist traps.



WHERE TO STAY

My friend and I stayed in Santorini for four nights and split up the nights between two hostels. The first hostel was in the small village of Perissa where we stayed at Youth Anna Hostel for only 5€ a night. For budget travellers who only need a bed, you get what you pay for.

After two nights in quiet Perissa, we moved to a new hostel called Fira Backpacker’s Place in Fira where all the excitement was. For only 15€ a night, you had friendly staff, a prime location, a pool, a lounge area and a super comfy bed.

WHERE TO EAT

Grab a gyro for 2€ at lunch and you will be full for majority of the day. In Perissa, a cheap alternative for dinner is Bob’s Bar where you can get a half liter of wine for 6€, 2€ bottle of beer and mains for under 12€. If you want to splurge for dinner you can get a nice lakeview dinner in Fira at one of the dozens of restaurants for under 20€.

If you want to go out on the town, take advantage of 2€ boxed wine. It may not be the best wine you can get in Greece, but pre-drinking beats forking out 5€ for a bottle of beer while out at 2 Brothers Bar.

WHAT TO DO

Make sure you spend some time in Perissa. You can take advantage of the black sand beach and hike up to Ancient Thera, an ancient city on top of Messavouno mountain (entry is only 2€). Instead of renting an ATV for the famous sunset at Oia, take the 10 km hike from Fira to Oia for gorgeous views and to shed off those gyro calories.

Here is my Santorini budget:

Accommodation	40€
Food	66.25€
Transportation (buses)	3.8€
Activities	2€
Total	112.05€
Total average/day	28€

Is Santorini on your bucket list?

I'm back!

I just want to take a minute and let all of you know that after a one-year hiatus, Oh Summer Candy is back in service. This past year I have taken time to work, do well in school, travel, explore other blogging opportunities and well, just live life. I want to get back into blogging as a form of creative expression and it doesn't hurt that it works well as a portfolio. I can't wait to get back to blogging for all my followers. Stay tuned!

Saying Goodbye

Oh Summer Candy has been a part of my life for almost two years now. I have met so many amazing bloggers and people throughout my experience writing for Oh Summer Candy and I am so blessed for the support from the blogger community. I have decided to stop blogging for OSC and begin a new chapter in the blogging world. I began to realize that I wasn't able to write content for OSC that I wanted to, my creativity was limited to only fashion. I want to expand that - but not only for myself, but for other girls as well. 

For the past few months, I have been creating a new collaborative blog called The Duchess. This blog is for females who are tired of the standard posts of "18 Reasons Why Being Single Is Great!" and "10 Snacks Under 100 Calories!". I want to cross some boundaries, step on a few toes, and shock a few people. I also want it to be a community where girls who never quite fit in - fit in. 

In order to make this blog a community, I have allowed girls to submit their work to be published. I have also included a forum for girls to discuss and ask questions about music, feminism, and much more. 

I want to thank each and every one of you for reading my posts. I never thought OSC would be as much of a success as it was and I am so grateful for everything and everyone. I hope you will continue to support me by checking out The Duchess and giving it a read.

Again, one more BIG thank you to everyone! 

Trend Trunk's Blogger Fashion Week May 5th - 11th

I am happy to announce that I will be featured again on Trend Trunk's Blogger Fashion Week. 

Blogger Fashion Week (May 5th - May 11th) allows readers like yourself to shop your favourite blogger or bloggers closets. This time, you can shop over 100 closets of Canada's emerging and established bloggers and score deals up to 80% off! Some bloggers have also chosen to donate 100% of their proceeds to their preferred non-profit or charity through Trend Trunk's Closets & Causes Program. 

What is Trend Trunk? Trend Trunk is basically an online consignment store where people can sell and shop new and previously loved items for up to 80% off the retail price. Trend Trunk has also introduced Shoppes where established stores can sell their own merchandise. 

Remember to follow along with your favourite bloggers this week and connect via social media with the hashtag #BFW. 

Shop on! 

Spring Must Have: Kimono

Although it may not seem like it here in Canada, it has officially been spring for a little over a week. Fortunately, the weather is supposed to warm up this the week (fingers crossed). That means it's time to put away those heavy winter coats and toss on a kimono. Kimono's are my favourite spring trend right now - not only are they super light for spring, but you are bound to be the best dressed gal at the music festival this summer. 

one / two / three / four / five / six

What's your favourite spring trend? 

It's About Time!

I'm a huge Society6 stalker. If I want to spruce up my apartment, Society6 is the first place I  check. They don't just sell prints. Oh no, this site sells tote bags, tank tops, phone cases, and now CLOCKS. You can now have your favourite prints on a clock. I'm so used to checking the time on my phone that I probably forget how to read a traditional clock, but I still think they add a lot of character to any room. Here are a few of my favourite clocks on Society6:

Pineapple Clock: I hate the taste of pineapples, but I have to admit they are nice on the eyes. 

Mountains Through The Trees Clock: My mountain heart screams nostalgia when I look at this clock.

Sky Mandala Clock: This is such a pretty pattern! 

Bull Clock: Great for any country lover's home. 

August Florals Clock

These are just a few of my favourites, but I could show you hundreds of amazing clocks. Go check out more here!

Feeling Foxy Friday: Joules Review

I don't know how the weather is on your end, but here in Canada it is c o l d. But just because it's cold doesn't mean I have to ditch the warm colours! I am channeling my inner autumn, since I miss that weather oh-so-much. 

What I'm wearing: Boots c/o Joules USA, Dress Urban Planet, Coat (old) H&M, Scarf/Hat/Mits Local boutiques, Tights Value Village 

I'm feeling foxy today with my fox dress and these amazing Fox Rain Boots from Joules.  It's hard to find a good pair of waterproof winter boots, and rain boots take on even the deadliest of blizzards. The winters where I am are also extremely wet. There is actually a puddle so large on my campus right now, we call it Lake McMaster. 

It's also difficult to find a pair of rain boots that aren't hard to walk in, fit right on the calf, and are comfortable. I am telling you that these Joules Rainboots are made in heaven, it feels like I'm walking on a cloud. They are comfortable, stylish, affordable and make me want to go jump in as many puddles (or snow forts) as possible. If you don't feel like channeling your inner Foxy Cleopatra, their boots come in many different styles and patterns. Some of the other pairs I may have to snatch up are: these, these, and these. 

Going to find some puddles to jump in now!

*all opinions are my own

Weekly Roundup

You know what the best feeling in the world is? The feeling when you have been trying to crack your finger for what seems like eons (when really it's been thirty seconds) and it finally cracks. Anyways, happy Sunday everybody! I hope your 2014 has been going well. I've spent the first five days of 2014 and last five days of my holidays before school starts by laying in bed in my comfy Christmas pajamas playing The Sims over and over again. Apparently I would rather clean my Sims apartment rather than my own, oh well. Here is this week's roundup!

TO EAT

The holidays shouldn't be your only excuse to eat delicious food. Try these Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites and start your New Year's resolution next week (or next year.. who needs diets, really?) 

TO WEAR

It's not like I need anymore excuses to shop, but this Reverse Split Sweater from Nasty Gal is too cute to resist. Watch out Kelly Kapowski 

TO LISTEN

Beyonce - Blow (Official Video) HD

I saw the Beyonce's Mrs Carter Tour in Toronto a few weeks ago, and I can't even comment on the fabulousness (is that a word?) on her performance. I know the album was released a few weeks ago and people may be thinking "this is old news" but whoever says that deserves a punch in the gut. Since the release, I have watched this music video an average five times a day. It's my favourite video from the album, what's yours?

TO DECORATE

Simplistic.

TO SEE

I'm not sure what the weather is like in Italy right now but if it looks anything like this, take me there now. Secluded Beach, Furore, Amalfi, Italy

TO CREATE

Now that I have my own Polaroid camera, this looks like a project I would love to do. 

Oh Summer Candy Yearly Round Up

2013 has to be the most rewarding year of my entire life. Although this year brought me some downs including the death of my Grandmother and a difficult break up, it has also brought me many, many ups. I think this was the year I finally found myself, as cliche as that sounds. I know the person I want to be and I love the person I have become. My grades have gone up drastically, I landed an internship, a part-time job, had the first healthy relationship in my life, grew closer with some of the best friends I could ask for, lived on my own, travelled, forgiven those who have hurt me, apologized to those I have hurt, discovered and met amazing bands, and of course my biggest accomplishment: this blog. I never thought that I would receive so much support from this blog as I have. From my friends and family and my online network of friends, this blog has grown to exactly what I want it to be. Thank you for reading and commenting and supporting. Here is a collection of the top ten posts of 2013. Enjoy and I can't wait for what the new year brings to Oh Summer Candy.

 1. How To Throw The Ultimate 90s Party

 2. Music Monday: Top 5 Of All Time

3. Tips For Surviving College Roommates

4. Rules For Being a Modern Lady

5. Frugal Fashion Friday: Prom Dresses

6. An Ode To Grandma

7. 5 Things I Struggle With As A Blogger

8. How To Travel Across The Country With a Cat

9. Beauty Review: Bumble + Bumble Surf Spray

10. Ink Love

Happy New Years!