Lauren Simone Blogs

For summer 2025, I embarked on an unforgettable journey across Europe and Asia, exploring seven countries in just ten days—each offering a unique mix of history, culture, and contrast. Having already visited much of Western Europe, I focused this time on Central and Eastern Europe, plus a brief adventure into Asia. From the artistic elegance of Vienna to the natural wonder of Albania’s Blue Eye, every stop had its own story.

Budapest, Hungary was vibrant but marred by the strong scent of urine, visible homelessness, and graffiti. Vienna, Austria, by contrast, was immaculate, walkable, and full of delightful dining. Croatia proved to be a favorite—clean, beautiful, and safe—with stays in Cavtat and Dubrovnik, the latter preferred for its walkable access to historic city walls and Adriatic views. In Albania, I stayed at the MK Hotel and took a day tour to Ksamil, Sarandë, and the Blue Eye, a scenic but slightly overrated natural spring. Still, the “Hand of Ksamil” installation was a fun photo op.

This whirlwind tour not only expanded my country count to 35, but also deepened my appreciation for the contrasts in infrastructure, cleanliness, and culture across regions. Whether reflecting on the cobbled streets of Dubrovnik or the serene beaches of Ksamil, each destination left a distinct impression—making this Euro-Asia trip one for the books.

As the days grow longer and the sunshine beckons us outdoors, we’re thrilled to share some exciting milestones, inspiring news, and opportunities to keep young minds active this summer. Here's what’s happening in our vibrant literary community! 🎓 Graduation Celebrations! Please join us in joyous congratulations to two of our phenomenal Lauren Simone Publishing House authors. Yvette Phillips, author of “The Tale of Princess Alicia”, has graduated from college, pursuing a degree to further her career in Childhood Education! We are beyond proud of her academic success and continued creative journey. Her story, inspired by reading stories to her son at...

Simon Says Smile by Dr. Yahazeil Simon is an inspiring children’s book about a young boy who overcomes insecurity about his smile and becomes an orthodontist. Blending storytelling and career education, this uplifting tale promotes perseverance, kindness, and representation—encouraging all children, especially children of color, to believe in themselves.

Attending the CT SBDC networking event at Goodwin University on March 19, 2025, reminded me of how invaluable the Connecticut Small Business Development Center has been in my entrepreneurial journey. Through the mentorship of Denise Whitford and Christine Sullivan, I received guidance on business planning, marketing strategies, funding opportunities, and networking. Their support helped me secure grants, participate in accelerators, and significantly grow my business, Lauren Simone Publishing House. With their help, I tripled my revenue, expanded my reach, and gave back to my community, ultimately earning B Corp Certification. Meeting Joe Ercolano and Jessica Olander at the event reinforced my gratitude for CT SBDC's role in empowering small businesses like mine.

On February 18, 2025, on a cold, windy day in Connecticut, Lauren Simone Publishing House, in collaboration with the University of Saint Joseph, hosted a remarkable event titled Stories of the Underserved: Embracing the Human Experience with Charity and Social Justice. The gathering took place in the Crystal Room at noon and was an opportunity for the community to come together, share stories, and reflect on the intersection of charity, social justice, and human experience. The event began with a warm welcome from Lynnette Colon, who invited the audience to enjoy pizza and beverages before the speakers were introduced. The...