Wish List Wednesday

A wish come true....

There was once a young traveling designer, who woke up one morning and longed to be back home with her beloved family, friends and beautiful city. She contemplated about her wishes, should she stay in the kingdom of Italy for the remaining month or should she pack up and return to her kingdom of Great Britain.

After thinking long and hard, short and narrow, large and wide, the young traveler came to a decision. Although she could stay and have her holidays in her current city, however her heart has long left, and so she must follow.

With those feelings in mind, she set forth arranging a meeting between herself and the department of voyage within her place of labour. Soon afterward, a date was appointed, and the young traveler's wish came true. Come this Saturday, she will once more be with her beloved ones.

You guessed it ladies and gentlemen, I'm going back home to London this Saturday! Whoo! I know it's a bit sudden, but like my banner says, a life worth living is a life lived with passion, these are my very words that I live by. I always follow my heart and it is no longer here, so neither should I be.

p.s....am doing a happy dance, this Wednesday's wish has come true. Have you folks had any wishes come true recently?


Image via all4myspace

Oh what a weekend!

Bassano del Grappa

I'm the girl lucky enough to be lounging around this pool all day Saturday. It's a real beauty, isn't it? Both the pool and the art deco style architecture, they look like something from Architectural Digest.
The house belongs to my friend, and is situated in Bassano del Grappa, a beautiful town in northern Italy.

This is a good example of why it's good not to plan things sometimes. Last week, I had absolutely no agenda for the weekend, during Friday's aperitivo, I bumped into a friend whom I hadn't seen in ages. So, to cut a long story short, "I was all up in his casa" all day the following day. I really can't get enough of this pool, it's seriously stunning, and most importantly, refreshing.

In the evening, we explored the town a bit more, and wow! It's a 30min drive from the Dolomites, so you can really see the mountains clearly. They form a beautiful background for the rest of the town, and everything ends up looking very picture perfect.

I've always been told of its loveliness, but I guess I wasn't prepared for all this beauty, all in one place.
I can see why Ernest Hemingway chose to settle here, it's a very inspiring place, literally each corner you take, takes your breath away.
It was a really good day, quite exhaustive too, so I took it easy on Sunday. All in all, it was a fantastic weekend!

What did you folks get up to?

Images by me

Apperitivo

Welcome to Relais Monaco...

Oh, was the word I thought when we arrived at this beautiful hotel yesterday evening. When a friend invites you to after work apperitivo, naturally you assume that it's a fairly low key event, right? Obviously wrong! So there we were, five under-dressed girls and a dog, peeking into the gate, trying to decide if we should go in or not. Finally we did, and this is what we met......

A garden laid with beautiful white tents......

.....and a gorgeous pool surrounded with glittering tea lights.

What would life be, without crazy friends?

So it ended up been a good night, a little pricey, but definitely worth it. The food was delicious too. If you're ever in Ponzano, which is in the Veneto region of Italy, then you must check it out.

Have a good weekend folks, I have no plans as yet, I'll see what pops up. As always am ever so curious to know what you guys are doing.

Weekend Sparkles

Morning darlings, good weekend?

Mine came with a touch of sparkles. Saturday was a really good day. I spent the afternoon at the beach with friends, and in the evening the festival of Il Redentore (which marks the end of the plague) started. At around 11:30 pm, the Venetian sky erupted with the most beautiful fireworks display, oh so romantic my dears.
Sunday was a bit more relaxing, I slept late and treated myself with some real comfort food, cheese ommlette with toast, yum yum.

What about you folks, what did you get up to?

Island Hopping Part 2

Well you know what they say, people that live on islands, must hop around (kidding, no body says that). It's long been my best friend's dream to go to Burano, so when she came with her boyfriend for a weekend visit, it was my pleasure to make her dreams come true.
Yep! Welcome to island hopping part 2.

First stop was Murano, famed for it's glass making industry.

Unfortunately when we didn't see the glass blowers in action, I think it was siesta time. This light house on the other hand really captivated me. I love light houses, they absolutely fascinate me.

Next stop, Burano. Famed for lace making and beautiful coloured houses.

This place is seriously stunning, I highly recommend it.

Sunday was lovely and relaxing. We went antiquing in the morning, then cycled along the river Silea, before settling for a picnic in this lovely place.

.....we also squeezed in a little time for shopping along the way.

The thing about island hopping is that it's as much tiring, as it is fun. A ying, yang thing. You get the cool, exciting stuff, but it comes with a fatigue price. Am still recovering, but it was worth it. Beauty, adventure, good company, what more can a girl ask for? This I believe is the good life.

In search of Lost Paradise

Remember my last post when I said that life has a funny sense of humor? Well, I totally stand by my remark! Imagine my face yesterday afternoon at around 3pm (European time of course), when I stepped out of my apartment, hopped onto my bike, and peddled for a couple of minutes before being nicely greeted by the rain. Actually, no need to imagine, I'll tell you that it wasn't a happy face.

After working all morning and the early part of the afternoon (on a public holiday might I add), I decided to accept a friend's invitation to aperitifs in Venice, and as my luck will have it, the sun decided to go for a siesta at that exact time. Half an hour train ride later, we were standing under the big clock outside the train station, I was in chocolate brown ballerina pumps, she in black strappy sandals, and both of us completely wet. Not even our handbag sized umbrellas could protect us from the Italian monsoon. Giggling like two little school girls, we made our way through the back alleys, out of the tourist way, and in search of lost paradise, the old restaurant that she wanted to take me to. We fought against the rain, wind and cold, to finally arrive to a closed door. It wasn't open due to the holiday.....ahhh!

Does things like this happen to you guys too? Is it just me? Seriously this stuff happens all the time!

In the end we went into the nearest bar for some c&c (catch up and cappuccino) session, it was nice. It's always good spending time with a friend, but my mind still wonders about the lost paradise. I promise to go back and give you guys a detailed report, but until then, feast your eyes on this mini paradise at home. A house with a pool inside?..... yes please!

Enjoy my darlings!

It's slightly strange, but beautiful, I love it! What do you folks say?

Images via Interiorzine

Island Hopping

Hello my beautiful readers! How are you all doing, did you have a good break? I know you guys in the UK and the States have an extra day, due to the bank holiday, you lucky things. After the weekend that I had, I could really do with an extra day of rest. Saturday was such an amazing day, I spent the whole day island hopping! A friend of mine was celebrating her birthday, so she took us on her boats, making a few stops on a couple of the islands around the Veneto region of Italy.

The adventure started from climbing down a ladder to get inside the boat, very scary and exciting at the same time.

We made a quick stop on the island of Isola delle Vignole, to have some lunch. Oh and the captain let me drive the boat a little, it was so good!

After a delicious lunch of pasta and fried sea food, we hopped back onto the boat and continued with our escapade. Then all of a sudden it started to rain, so we stopped on the island of Sant'Andrea, and went inside the fort for some shelter.

We didn't make it to the island of San Terasmo, when the rain finally stopped, we headed back to Venice to get ready for the party.

Here are some more pictures of Venice, isn't it beautiful?

Yes, those are my feet, I wanted to show you guys my pretty red ballerina flats. Aren't they gorgeous?

Some weekend inspirations

As the Americans would say, I need a strong cup of Joe (coffee). I went to a really good party last night, as usual with these type of things, sleep always gets sacrificed. The whole morning has been such a struggle to keep my eyes open, but it was worth it.

The weekend is finally here and I am so grateful! Tonight I will be attending an exhibition of a colleague who has just invented a new way of photography, through the use of a computer monitor (please don't ask me how). Tomorrow, I'll be going to the island of Santerasmo which is near Venice. A friend of mine has hired a boat for her birthday, so that should be fun. Sunday will be spent recovering from Saturday am sure, and that is my entire weekend covered. Actually the boat thing depends on the weather, but we'll see, fingers crossed!

What about you folks, have you made any plans for the weekend?

Before bidding you a fond farewell, let me leave you guys with these pictures that I took yesterday evening, it's the view along the River Silea.

This is my bike path.

....and this is what I look at whilst bike riding, amazing right?

I literally had to stop every so often to capture these beautiful images, and I knew that I just had to share it with you guys.

I do hope you like, my darlings!
Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you on Monday.

Antique Weekend

Morning my darlings! How was your weekend? Mine was jam packed with activities and I simply can't believe it's Monday again, I feel like the last couple of days just flew by. I had an amazing time at a barbecue on Saturday night, but somehow between dancing and taking pictures of my friends jumping in the river (yes they really did, it was one of those lazy spring nights), I came home to find my blue rose missing. I only had it for a week, but I grew attached to it pretty quickly, and am sad to loose it. Right now am picturing it floating alone on the river, I hope somebody worthy of it's uniqueness finds it.

Sunday was another antique day, so of course I had to go.

I think these will look amazing on a terracotta patio.

I literally gasped for this lantern. My friends thought I was crazy, but I think it's beautiful, no?

Adorable gravy boat, yes?

This, I love!

I would have liked to see a whole set of these, they are really pretty.

These two vases particularly caught my eye because they looked out of place in the market. I really like them.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

This was my favourite find of the day! It's so vintage meets fairytale. It isn't made for just any old decor, but in the right setting, it would steal the show.

I got caught in the rain without an umbrella, so I wrapped my scarf around my head. Don't I look so Arabian night? Please believe that the setting and the picture was accidental, we just happened to be near the carpet stall when the rain really started to hit. A stylish accident all the same. No, the scarf isn't from the market, it was a gift from my dad, and he bought it in London.

Am really considering ditching the whole umbrella thing and getting more oversize scarves, am really digging this look, and it's quite practical and stylish, especially if the rain is not that heavy.

So which one of my antique finds, is your favourite?

A piece of Venetian romance

Top of the morning to you all, how was your weekend? The weather here wasn't too good, so I didn't do much. I know that must sound strange coming from a London girl, but in Italy, rain can kill a social life quicker than you can say Tiramisu!
However, there were a few delights to this weekend that even the rain couldn't spoil, like my (c & c) cappuccino and catch up session with a friend. We sat in a tiny little cafe as she filled me in on her Wednesday dating philosophy. Finding it the most boring day of the week, she has decided to spice things up by making it her date night. So every week she gets wined and dined by the most eligible Bachelors that Italy has to offer. I couldn't help giggling my way through out the conversation, it was definitely worth stepping out in the rain for.

.....here's your piece of Venetian romance my lovelies.

If you haven't been, you must go. Am in love with this place!


Image taken by me.

Dreamy Riverside House

Happy Friday beautiful people! I have absolutely no plans for this weekend, I'll see what pops up, it's much more fun that way. Before signing off for this week, I really wanted to show you guys this dreamy riverside house in my town. Isn't it a beau? Every time I walk past it, I always imagine the kind of parties I would have on that deck. Right now am picturing a late evening barbecue, a small intimate do with only 10 of my closest friends. Am wearing a long flowy Elie Saab summer dress, looking uber chic of course. The food is delicious and the smell softly mixes with the sweet scent of fresh seasonal flowers. What a life.

.....and it looks like this at night!

Seriously dreamy right? Isn't the reflections on the river a stunner?

Images taken by me

Welcome to my World

Welcome back everyone, I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Mine was filled with bike rides, breakfast at Tiffany's (..yes quite literally, but it was at 11:00, so more brunch at Tiffany's) and late evening drinks with friends. Hmm, those little sweet things that summer is made of. Yes I know, I know, we are not yet in summer, but we're getting there. It occurred to me the other day that I never share my life with you guys. I live in Venice Treviso, which is a 20 min train ride from Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and yet you would never know it from my posts. Those of you who have read my about me page would have noticed that I haven't shared my Italian adventures like I promised! Well I do apologise folks. Starting from now, am going to let you guys peak through the windows of my life.

First of all let me introduce you to Tiffany, where I had breakfast (...yes I do like saying it) on Sunday with a friend.

They make the most delicious little treats.

 

Yes they are as good as they look, actually they are better.

 

It took me little while to like the decor, I guess I was expecting something more upscale, and less retro, but now I like it. The mochas on the wall are a nice touch too.

Sunday was an Etsy lover's dream, it was the handmade market. 

How beautiful are these jars, seriously amazing right?

This too

 

What do you think of this crib, nice huh?

Well, it's made by this guy! I had to stand for a while and watch him work. I asked him to pose for me with a smile but he was too shy! Aww, such a darling!

 

This light stole my heart.

 

It was love at first sight between me and this ensemble, but 70 euros was enough to split us up (...you know how it is for young lovers). It's real silk though, 100% I was told.

 

Isn't she lovely? This is my beautiful friend Sarah trying on hats.

 

Am a huge fan of old buildings, and Italian ones always has a certain romantic beauty about it.

......alright back to market.

I love it's plainness, don't you? 

 

Sarah cringed at these but I love them. I know they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but sometimes I think that people don't appreciate the talent on their very front door!

 

Mirror mirror on the wall......

Me and Sarah doing what we do best, goofing around!

 

It's true, good things do come in small packages. 

 

Yours truly of course! I couldn't end without showing you guys my beautiful bike, it's Pinarello don't you know? Don't worry if you don't, I didn't know the name either till I moved here, but it's meant to be the Christian Louboutins of bikes.

P.s...I know my boots aren't exactly spring fashion, but neither is the weather. We have been in the middle of thunderstorms, lightning, and consistent rain recently, so a girl just has to cover up!