home decor bits and pieces I adore
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boutique hotel pick – casadiva resort and spa – lake como, italy
A unique hotel is always fun in my opinion, with old world decor and charm, a wonderful escape from the modern amenities of today. Casadiva is a really amazing property – perched along the edge of lake Como, accessible by local bus, car and water taxi. A great location to escape to when looking for peace and quiet and amazing views of mountains and lake. Of course hoping to get a glimpse of George Clooney somehow somewhere is also a plus. The other bit of news about this property, it’s mentioned in my novel – Piazza Navona – a significant part of the story takes place there and one I have no doubt you would appreciate.
a weekend in santa barbara – bacara resort and spa
Although I am a week late in posting this, mostly sidetracked by all the World Cup games, I still think it’s fine to share. I spend a weekend in Santa Barbara, driving down from San Francisco on a Friday morning and returning early Monday morning. A four-hour drive at best, without traffic and almost five with, taking Highway 101South to get there. We arrived at our hotel Friday at noon and were checked in right away, which was pleasant. I decided to treat myself since it was my birthday and stayed at the Bacara Resort and Spa – a luxury property in Goleta about twenty minutes from downtown Santa Barbara. The beauty of this property is that you actually feel like you’ve escaped the norm, secluded at the farthest point of a dead-end road. Access to the property is via valet parking only, and the guests, destined to spend a weekend pampering themselves. The minute I swiped the card-key and opened the door to our suite, I felt at peace, smiling right away knowing I have …
a quick stop in solvang, california
On my way to Santa Barbara, I stopped off in Solvang for some good old-fashioned Dutch waffles breakfast, temporarily thinking I was in Europe. It was a perfect few hours, strolling through the quant town, almost Disney-like for all tourists, listening to conversations in German, Dutch and French among locals and tourists. Of course I stocked up on pastry, admitting to my followers shamelessly of course.
where would you go for an all-expense island vacation?
{all photographs borrowed from the internet, no harm intended, simply appreciating the suggestions}
words and pictures – a film for artists with passion for word and pictures
I am an author and an artist who appreciates words and pictures, knowing how each compliments the other and both are equally important for society to exist. So I had to see the film Words and Pictures to understand how such a topic is address in film. First of all I have to applaud Gerard Di Pego for an outstanding screen write. I haven’t seen such good writing in a while for films geared towards mid-life. The best in my opinion was It’s Complicated and since then I’ve been patiently waiting for a story just as good. Second, of course I happen to be a huge Clive Owen fan, someone who’s been waiting for the talented actor to do funny. I got a glimpse of his ability to be funny in Duplicity with Julia Roberts and since then, I have been hoping he would remove his typical black raincoat, black tie in all things doom and gloom and consider a charming, funny role. My prayers have been answered. In the film Words and Pictures, Clive …
inspired to write in portofino, italy
When I worked in the travel industry, I thumbed through hundreds of travel and tour marketing brochures, aiming to learn everything about the business. At the time, I turned the pages, marking with a sticky note or a paperclip, all the places around the world I wanted to see. Portofino was one of those places. I finally got a chance to go there two years ago, and the moment I arrived From Genoa by train-to-bus to the small fishing village, I was completely taken aback by how perfectly surreal the place was. Enchanted if you will, surely one of the best places to photograph and fall in love with. I spend hours at an outdoor eatery, people watching and taking in all that I could about the place, while imagining how people lived and vacationed in the quant town. I couldn’t get enough of the best facaccia bread also , baked perfectly with local olives and grilled onions among the dozen or so other ingredients; all choices displayed in small bakeries, lined along the narrow …
boutique hotel pick – monastero santa rosa – amalfi coast, italy
I’ve always loved Italy and will make sure during my annual trips across the pond, to include at least one city here and there. This year, while I plan my trip, I have decided to include the Amalfi coast, feeling the need for some rest and relaxation. It’s been a busy year so far and planning such a getaway is much needed. Monastero Santa Rosa was a hotel that caught my attention while searching for boutique hotels I normally consider to be the best accommodations while travelling. And based on the website here and the photos here, I have to say, I am convinced that this is where I’ll spend a week, plotting my next novel.
london, england – day 5
London, on this trip was a pit stop. Not really a place I was particularly interested in visiting, since it’s one of those cities, if I’ve seen it once, it’s crossed off my bucket list. Sorry if I am offending anyone. I prefer the countryside in the UK, not so much a congested city. Anyway, we arrived on a Saturday evening and after dinner settled in early and watched the Big Bang Theory. I think Sheldon and I were separated at birth. Sunday morning, we took our time getting ready and walked out of our hotel, utterly surprised. London was experiencing, some sort of heat wave and the streets were overly crowded. Then it dawned on me, every local was off work, enjoying the heat and being outdoors. Which made it nearly impossible for the tourists to be out and about, even during slow travel season (or maybe not). We walked for miles, me, worrying mostly at attempting to take the underground or even the over ground transportation, since it felt as though people were hanging out of …
St. Andrews – scotland – day 3
We left Edinburgh for a two day stay in St. Andrews, a proper college town, where Will and Kate of England (you know the couple) met like any normal or typical college mates, turned sweethearts turned married couple with a child. Very simple indeed 🙂 Anyway, the small town or village, I have to say is cute, a worth see and if you are into golf, for sure an ideal place to visit, especially if you can stay at the Fairmont. We shopped, ate, participated in tea-time and shopped more, a dreary day it was, but it mattered not. The romance of the village was well worth exploring.
rawsilkandsaffron.com 