Recovering, Remodeling, Reinventing…

Well…it has been a loooong couple of weeks around here! It has been awhile since my last post, for several reasons.

I am currently recovering. After my fabulous trip to Italy – see post and photos here – I took a few days to get over my jet lag. Then…

 

 

 

Yes…this happened! No…I did not have everything backed up! I lost all documents and photos from the last 7 months. I know what you are thinking…so as a friendly reminder…back up all your info TODAY! Now that I am over the initial shock, sadness, sheer disbelief…I am moving on to major frustration. I just got my computer back with the new hard drive and have to install everything all over again…ugh! It would not be so bad if it all went smoothly…which of course it is not. Spent 2 hours on the phone yesterday trying to reset passwords etc. Heed my advice…run a back up TODAY!

 

 

I am also in the middle of remodeling. We are currently planning a complete remodel on our kitchen and entire downstairs!

 

source

 

 

I recently shared a few of my favorite inspiration photos on Instagram. I have been pinning like crazy…see my Pinterest Kitchen board. We will be gutting the current kitchen and removing one wall. This will change the layout a bit and incorporate the seldom used dining room into the kitchen space. We have also decided to add hardwood floors to our entire downstairs living area…good bye to all carpet…Yay! This will be a major project that should begin in about 6 weeks. In the meantime…I will be sourcing and selecting all of the necessary items for a job like this…flooring, cabinets, countertops, tile, appliances, furniture…etc.  Exciting an daunting all at the same time!

 

 

 

Finally, it is time for some reinventing.

 

 

 

I have been thinking a lot about this one. I have decided to make some changes to my blog in the next couple of months. I will be removing the services button and hopefully adding a shop button! I still have more planning and researching to do on how and when these changes will take place…so stay tuned. I am excited to see where this energy and path will lead.

 

So please bear with me the next few months! I will be posting a bit…but will not have a set schedule. I am not sure how long it will be before I am up and running computer wise. I am not sure how sane I will be during the demolition and construction remodel wise. I am not quite sure how things will evolve and change blog wise.

 

However, I do know one thing…this life is a beautiful ride…and I am determined to enjoy each and every step along the way.

 

 

 

 

Home from Italy…a couple of days in Venice

 

 

As you can imagine…I have several hundred photos from my recent trip to Italy! As one of my friends put it while following my posts on Facebook…”there is no way to take a bad photo in Italy”…I agree!

 

 

 

 

I flew to Milan, Italy with my friend Jackie to attend the Salone de Mobile International Interior Design Expo…and to do a little sight seeing of course! There is just too much to share in one post…so today I will share a few shots of our trip to Venice.

 

 

Stepping out of the train station…here is the first thing you see. This is a “pinch me” moment, as it is so beautiful and exciting to actually be in Venice, Italy!

 

 

 

 

 

Riding the water taxis on the Grand Canal

 

 

 

Under the Rialto Bridge

 

 

 

Serenissima Hotel…so very charming!

 

 

 

Love the windows and shutters in our room

 

 

 

the colors of Venice are stunning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

exploring the city…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live in Venice? Why yes…I would LOVE to!

 

 

 

UPS Delivery day…via boat of course!

 

 

 

Piazza San Marco…me and the birds!

 

 

 

 

 

We had the most perfect weather…the sky was a shade of blue unlike any I have ever seen! We filled the 2 days with walking, walking, eating, drinking, site seeing, shopping, and more walking! I could have definitely stayed a few more days to see more of the city…guess I will just have to plan a return visit. Hopefully soon!

 

 

 

Time to Pack my Travel Bag…

 

This week I am busy getting ready for my trip to Milan, Italy! I will be leaving on Friday morning, so today I am gathering all the necessities for my travel bag.

 

Itnerary – check.

My friend Jackie typed up our plans for the week…it is going to be amazing! First stop Milan, for the International Interior Design Expo. We are then taking the train to Venice for a couple of days…and hope to take another day trip to Lake Como, and Belaggio.

 

Magazines – check.

Always good to have a little reading material. I will also bring my i-pad that has several books already loaded. However, nothing beats a good rag mag like People and my all time favorite Vanity Fair!

 

Travel Pillow – check.

I recently purchased this oh so cute leopard print neck pillow for the 12+ hour flight. I have never used one before. If this helps me get some sleep on the overnight flight I will be happy!

 

Passport & Euros – check & check.

I will not get very far without either of these!

 

Umbrella – check.

It is Spring in Italy right now and there is a chance of showers. I bought this little plaid travel umbrella at the Gap several years ago on another trip. It is the perfect size to carry in my bag and will come in handy when needed.

 

Snack – check.

I like to pack a couple of bars to nibble on. These Nature Valley Salty Sweet Peanut bars are one of my favorites!

 

Journal & Pen – check.

I will try my best to keep some notes about the trip in this travel size journal. I am not very good about journaling, and always regret it.

 

i-phone Earbuds – check.

Currently working on my i-tunes library to be sure to have plenty of music for  the plane ride.

 

Lip Balm, Hair Band, Glasses – check, check, check.

I always have these items in my bag. Not pictured but also included are some hand lotion and travel tissue. These are all necessities for every day!

 

I will be away for my computer and posting while I am gone. I will do my best to share some photos on Instagram. Follow along here. Looking forward to an amazing week and sharing with you all the details when I return.

 

 

Arrivedercie!