The second leg of our trip was four days in Sorrento and Capri, which is hands down the most beautiful place I've ever been. I highly encourage anyone who can to spend time there, but wish we'd gone later in the year when it is warmer. All the beaches were still shut down and it was chilly (to a Texan!)
Our hotel was on the outskirts of Sorrento, and if I had it to do over I'd have picked something in the center of town. However, the food and wine is great, and there are lemons and oranges everywhere you look! Our favorite part of the trip was our tour of Capri, and it's obvious why the island has been a getaway for the wealthy since Roman times.
Sadly, we did not get to experience the famous blue grotto since the weather was really windy and there were too many waves that week, but that's just one more reason to go back!
We also took side trips to Pompeii and Naples, which was super educational, but involved way more hiking than I realized! Pompeii is one giant bunch of rocks, and you spend hours skipping from stone to stone. I did lots of research before going, but was still not prepared for how it was set up and felt very badly for the groups of older tourists and flip flop wearing people who also assumed there would be level ground.
The Archeology Museum in Naples was amazing, and totally worth the trip, although all the statues run together in my mind now. However, the "secret room" was pretty interesting!
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Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
I'm Back! Italian Vacation Recap - Florence and Venice
Good morning! I can't believe it's been three weeks since I've blogged - I've not taken more than a week or so off since 2010. However, the break was much needed. I had an amazing vacation with my husband, and while I get back into the swing of things, I'll be sharing photos of our adventure before returning to your regularly scheduled posts about shoes and jewelry.
Florence
I found Florence to be an amazing city, and fell in love with the scenery... and the gelato. We stayed at the Hotel Santa Maria Novella, near the piazza and church of the same name, and it was in a good location for walking and catching trains with heavy bags. We did a walking/bus tour to cover the main sites, which I liked because it included admission to the two most popular sites (Accademia and Uffizi Gallery) and we covered a lot more groung in a day than N and I would have alone. However, I was exhausted by the evening, and was already wishing I'd brought actual running shoes instead of Sperrys and Converse.
Learn from my mistake, ladies. All that chatter about cute vacation shoes was ridiculous. I suffered for days because of my refusal to be seen wearing cross-trainers all over Italy.
I was excited to go to the Pitti Palace and walk (actually hike) around the gardens and visit the costume gallery, which held clothes from the 1600s to 1990s. N was unimpressed with the clothes, but I thought it was great! Pictures weren't allowed, though. :(
Venice
We took a day trip to Venice rather than spending a third day in Florence, and I was so glad we did. The city was gorgeous, although it was cold and drizzly almost the whole time we were there. We checked out the main sites, like St. Mark's Square, and visited Murano (bad idea on a Sunday, everything was closed) and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. However, my favorite part of the day was when our water bus accidentally came upon the America's Cup race and ended up right in the thick of it! It was scary, but awesome... and the USA boat totally won.
Tomorrow... Sorrento and Capri!
Florence
I found Florence to be an amazing city, and fell in love with the scenery... and the gelato. We stayed at the Hotel Santa Maria Novella, near the piazza and church of the same name, and it was in a good location for walking and catching trains with heavy bags. We did a walking/bus tour to cover the main sites, which I liked because it included admission to the two most popular sites (Accademia and Uffizi Gallery) and we covered a lot more groung in a day than N and I would have alone. However, I was exhausted by the evening, and was already wishing I'd brought actual running shoes instead of Sperrys and Converse.
Learn from my mistake, ladies. All that chatter about cute vacation shoes was ridiculous. I suffered for days because of my refusal to be seen wearing cross-trainers all over Italy.
I was excited to go to the Pitti Palace and walk (actually hike) around the gardens and visit the costume gallery, which held clothes from the 1600s to 1990s. N was unimpressed with the clothes, but I thought it was great! Pictures weren't allowed, though. :(
Venice
We took a day trip to Venice rather than spending a third day in Florence, and I was so glad we did. The city was gorgeous, although it was cold and drizzly almost the whole time we were there. We checked out the main sites, like St. Mark's Square, and visited Murano (bad idea on a Sunday, everything was closed) and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. However, my favorite part of the day was when our water bus accidentally came upon the America's Cup race and ended up right in the thick of it! It was scary, but awesome... and the USA boat totally won.
Tomorrow... Sorrento and Capri!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Be My Guest: Little e
Today I'm excited to introduce you to my friend Erin, designer and generally stylish lady behind the blog Little e. She and I met at the Texas Style Council conference back in March, and were excited to learn that we share a love of reading any and all books, in addition to shopping (of course) and geeking out over The Hunger Games and movies from 10-12 years ago. She also hosts awesome parties at her house. She does not know that she's pretty much solely responsible for my recent foray into bright lipstick, and I will always be grateful to her for that.
By day, I work here, doing Design work and PR. For the rest of my life... I document over on my blog, Little e.
Little e is a little ADD, since I love so many things, fashion, interiors, travel, food, and, my house!
Our house is a 1950's Cliff May, that being said, I have a thing for Mid Century Modern. My blog kinda leans towards talking about that a lot, especially my {mostly} weekly column Mod Monday.
I met Haley at the Texas Style Council, and little does she know that I returned home and told my fiance that I may have met my girlfriend soul-mate because she liked so many of the same things I do. So, Thanks Haley for letting me pop by! Safe travels home and we will see ya back after the weekend!
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By day, I work here, doing Design work and PR. For the rest of my life... I document over on my blog, Little e.
Little e is a little ADD, since I love so many things, fashion, interiors, travel, food, and, my house!
Our house is a 1950's Cliff May, that being said, I have a thing for Mid Century Modern. My blog kinda leans towards talking about that a lot, especially my {mostly} weekly column Mod Monday.
I met Haley at the Texas Style Council, and little does she know that I returned home and told my fiance that I may have met my girlfriend soul-mate because she liked so many of the same things I do. So, Thanks Haley for letting me pop by! Safe travels home and we will see ya back after the weekend!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Be My Guest: Putting Me Together
Today I'm thrilled to host Audrey of the blog Putting Me Together. She's a master at working with what you have in your closet, and creating original outfits with attainable pieces. Her remixable wardrobe series is an amazing resource if you're looking to reinvent your style but aren't sure where to start (or just want to see how someone else rocks amazing outfits all week long). Audrey deserves all the acclaim she has received, and I hope you check out her blog if you haven't already.
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Be My Guest: Capital Style
Today you are all very lucky to meet Emily Hargrove, a stylist based in DC who just so happens to be as nice as she is fashionable (and a fellow Game of Thrones fan who I like to email about the latest crazy plot twists because I'm an HBO nerd like that). You'll love following her over at Capital Style, and probably wish you lived close enough to go shopping with her like I do.
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Be My Guest: Ever So Emily
If you read this blog ofter, you're probably familiar with my e-friend (and almost real life friend, if only SXSW traffic hadn't ruined everything) Emily of Ever So Emily. She's posted here before, and I wanted her introduce herself again today just in case you all haven't checked her out yet. I love getting a peek at her life and her Northwest Chic (my term that I made up right now) style, and I think you will too.
I'm so glad to be a part of Haley's Be My Guest series while she is living it up in Italy! I've been blogging over at Ever So Emily since 2011 where I write about my life in Oregon with my husband and my doxie pup, Zander.
I'm all about documentation and started my blog as a way to keep track of what's going on in my life and share the fun things I find (i.e. instead of making my husband watch yet another adorable and hilarious animal video, I share it with you!). It's a bit of a hodgepodge; sometimes it's fashion and design, sometimes it's entertainment and a lot of the time it's food.
Stop by and say hello, I'd love to hear from you!
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I'm so glad to be a part of Haley's Be My Guest series while she is living it up in Italy! I've been blogging over at Ever So Emily since 2011 where I write about my life in Oregon with my husband and my doxie pup, Zander.
I'm all about documentation and started my blog as a way to keep track of what's going on in my life and share the fun things I find (i.e. instead of making my husband watch yet another adorable and hilarious animal video, I share it with you!). It's a bit of a hodgepodge; sometimes it's fashion and design, sometimes it's entertainment and a lot of the time it's food.
Stop by and say hello, I'd love to hear from you!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Be My Guest: Sequins & Stilettos
Happy Monday! The Be My Guest series continues this week (I'm schedule to be in Rome today!) and I am excited to introduce you to a new blog friend, Skylette of Sequins & Stilettos. She will inspire you with her great outfit posts and make you wish you could swap hair with someone else. Seriously.
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Friday, May 18, 2012
Be My Guest: Genny's Journal
Today I'm excited for everyone to meet my friend Genny, author the daily style blog Genny's Journal. She's a mom of two of the cutest little girls I've seen on a blog, and posts daily outfit posts from her home in New Hampshire. I was lucky to meet Genny in person at the Texas Style Council conference back in March, and can attest that she's as sweet in person as she is online. Check out her favorite blog post here!
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Thursday, May 17, 2012
Be My Guest: City and Burbs
Lately I've been wishing that my blog had a coauthor. After e-meeting Catalina and Diana of City and Burbs, I am totally jealous of their ability to feature dual perspectives on fashion and share the upkeep of a popular blog. Both have amazing style, and it's interesting to see different takes on new trends in the same space. Check them out!
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Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Be My Guest: Fleur de Lis & Football
I love that rare occasion when I click with another blogger and feel like we'd be friends, if only geography didn't get in the way. Erin is one of those bloggers I met through comments, and wish I could meet for margaritas. She's a newly engaged southern girl with lots of great things to share... and an undying devotion to the Crimson Tide. Check out her favorite post at Fleur de Lis & Football
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Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Be My Guest: Shoestring Fashion
Ladies, meet Lisa! She writes a daily style blog called Shoestring Fashion (check out her favorite post here), and I think we could swap closets if I were taller and smaller. You'll love seeing how she mixes basic pieces that anyone can afford in ways that make them seem even more special. I've been following along for a while, and think she has great taste!
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Monday, May 14, 2012
Be My Guest: South on Broadway
Today's guest is Jaime, from a new blog called South on Broadway. She features a great mix of food and fashion, and I think she'll soon be getting lots of attention. She deserves it!
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Friday, May 11, 2012
Be My Guest: Natasha Fatah
Today I'm excited to introduce you all to Natasha Fatah, author of a blog by the same name. She has amazing style, as you'll soon find out!
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"You've gotta stand your ground for freedom, beauty, truth, and love."
- that’s a line from the movie Moulin Rouge.
It may be a love it or leave it kind of movie, but I loved it, and I loved the celebration of joy and beauty and that’s what I hope to achieve with the blog.
My blog and I share the same name: Natasha Fatah. It’s a style journal where I share my daily outfits – the hits and misses. And I also share bits of inspiration, talk about current affairs, things in the news, TV shows and music and odd bits of observations.
- that’s a line from the movie Moulin Rouge.
It may be a love it or leave it kind of movie, but I loved it, and I loved the celebration of joy and beauty and that’s what I hope to achieve with the blog.
My blog and I share the same name: Natasha Fatah. It’s a style journal where I share my daily outfits – the hits and misses. And I also share bits of inspiration, talk about current affairs, things in the news, TV shows and music and odd bits of observations.
I’m not particularly interested in labels and brands, I’m interested in how people paint themselves everyday and what they want to share and say to the world. I’m a journalist, so for the purpose of balance, I want the blog to be a celebration of all things beautiful and joyful.
My dream closet would be part Solange Knowles part Coco Chanel and part Katherine Hepburn.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Be My Guest: Bromeliad Living
Today I'm excited to kick off a series that will introduce you all to some amazing bloggers who are producing great content and nice enough to step in while I'm away. They've all prepared an introduction to themselves and their blogs, and I hope you'll all get to know each other while I'm away!
First up in Samantha from one of my favorite DIY blogs, Bromeliad Living:
Hi, I'm Samantha from Bromeliad Living. Haley and I share a love for leopard print, flats, J.Crew and a bargain.
Bromeliad Living is inspired by bromeliad plants, which flourish on nothing but air, water and sunshine. I consider being broke to be a creative challenge, so where possible I DIY, upcycle or otherwise get the look for less.
I can tell you where to get a Parson's table or a pencil skirt for less than half off or how to make a Moroccan pouf from a bridesmaids dress. I'm also trying to achieve 'global beach minimalist modern' in my 500-square-foot apartment in Brooklyn, New York, and still have cash to fill the gas tank.
Thanks for the chance to introduce myself. I look forward to meeting Haley's other guests.
First up in Samantha from one of my favorite DIY blogs, Bromeliad Living:
Hi, I'm Samantha from Bromeliad Living. Haley and I share a love for leopard print, flats, J.Crew and a bargain.
Bromeliad Living is inspired by bromeliad plants, which flourish on nothing but air, water and sunshine. I consider being broke to be a creative challenge, so where possible I DIY, upcycle or otherwise get the look for less.
I can tell you where to get a Parson's table or a pencil skirt for less than half off or how to make a Moroccan pouf from a bridesmaids dress. I'm also trying to achieve 'global beach minimalist modern' in my 500-square-foot apartment in Brooklyn, New York, and still have cash to fill the gas tank.
Thanks for the chance to introduce myself. I look forward to meeting Haley's other guests.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Ciao!
I'm off to Italy in a few hours, and even though my plans of posting until my departure were a huge fail, I wanted to say goodbye and remind you all to keep stopping by while I'm away so that you can meet 12 amazing bloggers who will be introducing their blogs to you in my absence.
Ciao!
Ciao!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Dream Dressing: Madewell Summer Staples
Today I really must pack for my vacation... and even though I've been shopping around, not much has jumped out at me and I'm mostly taking clothes I've had for a while.
It's a good thing I didn't stop at Madewell over the weekend, because I probably would have found a way to justify buying several of the items below. You know, because I need more clothes. I love that the pieces are all pretty classic, but interesting, and actually aimed at people over the age of 21. The prices are a little steep for me, though, and I'm hopeful that signing up for email means I'll get some sale offers.
Has anyone else bought much from Madewell? Is it worth the splurge?
It's a good thing I didn't stop at Madewell over the weekend, because I probably would have found a way to justify buying several of the items below. You know, because I need more clothes. I love that the pieces are all pretty classic, but interesting, and actually aimed at people over the age of 21. The prices are a little steep for me, though, and I'm hopeful that signing up for email means I'll get some sale offers.
Has anyone else bought much from Madewell? Is it worth the splurge?