I picked up this parasol when I was strolling outside the Colosseum in Rome just last month. It was one of those heavy and warm summer days in the city, the sun beating down, I was craving gelato and a shady path to walk along to get there. Fortunately, a street vendor offered me a discount on this marigold parasol -- insisting that I needed it to protect my shoulders from the sun. I smiled sweetly, handed him a 10 Euro bill and offered a sing-song "Grazie mille!" before I was on my way in pursuit of San Crispino, rumored to be some of the best gelato in all of the Eternal City.

My original plan was to walk along the main thoroughfare that weaves in and out of the ruins back toward the Spanish Steps area. That is, until I noticed a narrow alleyway that appeared to be running parallel to it. Curious, I ducked right and found myself wandering one of the most charming city streets I've ever been on. Men were leaning out of their half shuttered windows chatting with each other across the street, Vespas zipped along narrowly missing me and my fellow pedestrians, while distant church bells could be heard ringing through the air.

I remember sending my mom a text in that moment (I owed her one each day, so she knew I was alive and well). And I simply said: "I'm at home here."

And I spun my parasol for the rest of the way.

OUTFIT DETAILS: St. Roche top and skirt // Soludos espadrilles // Celine "Audrey" sunglasses // Woven crossbody bag gifted to me by my friend Heather from Bali 

Photos by Lydia Hudgens