Some of the best interior decorating ideas come from staying in boutique hotels, in addition of course to looking through interior decorating magazines. I don’t know about you, but I do get inspired from my surroundings and with camera in hand chronicle the most haute interior decors to use while creating my own style. Here are some of my favorites:
What mother wouldn’t appreciate a destination spa getaway. Since this gift idea is a bit costly, I suggest the family pitching in for the spa fund instead of buying separate gifts for their mother. For some interesting destination spa getaways and more, please click here:
Tic toc, tic toc is the best I could jot down to express the number of hours and day remaining to the wedding of the century (at least from where I am sitting:) ). And of course I don’t need to tell anyone, weddings are probably the most stressful thing to experience (I am still trying to figure out why that is) While we plow through the to-do list, I can’t help but go over the details in my head over and over and over again just to make sure we don’t forget anything. Being a wedding planner is a b**** (oops did I say that out loud). Anyway, through photos, I can give a glimps of what goes through my head, even while I am writing this blog entry.
In light of the fact the Summer Olympics are in England this year, I had contemplated spending my vacation or holiday (I like that word better) attending some of the games. I am still on the fence about it, but it doesn’t hurt to dream, just in case I can’t make it a reality. Anyway, here is my dream hotel pick for London: Baglioni Hotel , which according to the chain’s website is “luxury with an Italian touch”. What more can I anyone ask for?
There is nothing more inspiring then a window facing either east or west in any home, because the light affects throughout the room give it not only a warm glow but a romantic feel as well. Check out some of my favorites
After a crazy cold rainy day on Wednesday, we experienced a strangely hot day on Thursday which prompted me to get into the vacation planning mode. Since I experienced the sudden urge to plan my vacation for 2012, I realized it was time to do my Friday boutique hotel pick. Royal Hotel Sanremo came to mind because I am actually looking into a vacation or a holiday where I could lounge around the pool and nap my days away while sipping on some exotic drink., in Italy of course. 🙂
I have never been to Napa past October, let alone during the holiday season. Usually because, the countryside past the turning of the leaves, isn’t as appealing during this time of the year and if there is rain involved, the region usually experiences flooding, making it difficult to travel. However, this past weekend, we decided to venture out to Napa since it’s been unusually warm and dry around the bay area. I must admit, I was actually surprised to discover still remnants of fall all around, with colorful trees standing strong, bright orange leaves hanging on their last thread along the walls of the wineries, vibrant green holy leaves and red berries blooming through the bare twigs of the fig trees. It was truly a sight for sore eyes. To top it off, once we opened the doors to all the wineries we visited, I was captivated by the warm glowing lights and sparkle from all the Christmas decor and the subtle smell of cinnamon and spice incense emanating from every room. I loved every …
Fall is a perfect time, in my opinion, to escape to a resort and spa hotel. I think, even though the weather may be a bit brisk and unpredictable, the romance of such a property do more than make up for it. I know I just got back from Italy but, I can’t help think about a weekend escape right before the holidays. My favorite is the Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, California. I not only enjoy the drive down to Santa Barbara, but once at the hotel, I seldom leave for the entire weekend.
I just can’t snap out of it, I know I have said this before, but it really is difficult to go to Europe, even for two week, then come back to the states and adjust to the every day norm. While I was in Tuscany, the day tour I took drove through some of the most beautiful landscapes in that part of the world and the guide pointed out numerous villas perched up on the hillside. Of course, every woman on the bus awed and oohed, while the husbands rolled their eyes or laughed at us for fantasizing about owning one. Now, I for one, have always dreamed of moving to Paris some day but in addition to my fantasy of living in Paris, I wouldn’t mind owning a Tuscan villa just for the summer months :). So, to make my day less gloomy, I found my villa of choice from here. Happy Monday.
I can never pass up a stop in Como Italy when I travel through Italy. Normally I spend two nights in Como, but I figured this time since it is Autumn, I would stay in Milan and take a day trip to Como on RailEurope or in this case, the shuttle train from Milan to Como S.M instead. It was about an hours ride, a bit uncomfortable and long since it made alot of stops along the way, but it was a reasonable cost. 4.50Euros each way, so I couldn’t complain much. When I got to Como rail station, I noticed, like I did before, a bus labeled Bellagio, which was the area around the lake I wanted to visit. Since it was freezing outside, I decided this time to give the bus ride a try, I knew it was going to circle the lake and that it would take an hour, but I figured I had done the ferry thing about a dozen times before, why not try something different. Well, I must admit …
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