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Hello there, and thanks for swinging by! I’m happy you’re here and flattered you want to know more about my blog.

I started Imperfect Idealist as a wee little middle schooler who wore way too many colors and layers (see this instagram post for reference). Back then, the blog was actually called “A Burst of Color,” and I mainly posted outfit shots.

In high school, I started sharing more personal stories in my posts (crush stories and all LOL), and changed my blog title to Imperfect Idealist. The blog has followed me ever since, through college in Western Mass, study abroad in Bordeaux and Oxford, my post-grad teaching fellowship in Dijon, and now my life as a working adult.

Imperfect Idealist has never really been a niche blog (the blog strategists would gasp!). I’ll post about anything from dumpster diving to embarrassing travel stories. It’s really a synthesis of my latest adventures and what I took away from them. What you’ll see most often are sustainability tips, active travel guides, and race and running gear reviews.

Below, I’ve compiled some of my favorite posts, organized by category—take a gander and feel free to follow along!

Sustainable Fashion & Living

wearing the Scooter One shoes with a vintage outfit in a vintage store

Sustainable or Greenwashing? How to Evaluate Fashion Brands

9 Common Misconceptions about Sustainable Fashion

Is it “Okay” to Buy Fast Fashion?

Running/Fitness

Race Review: Paris Marathon 2019 + Breaking 4 Hours!

Race Review: Philly Marathon 2021

10 Common Running Mistakes to Avoid (Especially Beginners)

My GPS running watch comparisons

Travel Guides

3 Days in Bordeaux, France: Most Instagrammable Places

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens: Are They Worth It?

Besançon Travel Guide: The French City You’ve Never Heard Of

Life in France

On Being Asian in France: My Experience

A Guide to French Healthcare for American Expats

What I’m Going to Miss (or Not) About France