Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
And Next: Burlington, VT
The last day of the trip to Vermont was spent in Burlington, putzing around to shops, cafes, and design stores.
Burlington is a wonderful little place, and in about 6 hours a lot happened in my mind and in my heart. Maybe more on the heart stuff later, but for now, just take a look at the town. It is so colorful, so bright, so... (bare with me) free. Everyone is different yet blends in. It kind of has the same vibe of downtown Seattle.
While having brunch in a little cafe I browsed the Design Sponge city guide for Burlington and it was a wonderful start. As you can see there are some commercial stores but then many locally-owned entrepreneurs as well.
More Than Maple Syrup
So with two full weeks off work (which, I must say, is something I absolutely will try to do again because my mentor-man was right: you need a week to unwind, and then a week to full detach and enjoy your time off) there was much to do... in the way of FUN!
In Vermont there was art, okay lots of art, picture taking, dog-carting (yeah, a heatwave in Vermont in November - good timing), horseback riding, fly-fishing... the real deal. It was incredibly hard to leave.
A few pictures from the trip!
Stowe Mountain Lodge:
Some scenes from Stowe:
Then there was the dogsledding - an experience I'd wish for everyone, for anyone that sees God in nature and animals, who loves fresh crisp winter air. The silence out there, in the very north of Vermont almost at the Canadian border completely away from civilization was amazing.
More on more germane topics coming soon:). The trip ended with a day in Burlington which has MUCHO design and clothing shops, excellent art, and a wonderful spirit to it. More soon!
The Best Laid Plans...
It's true, the blog hasn't been updated in a bit - which was mentioned to me today. True. Fact. All the way.
I suppose life keeps getting in the way, which is so strange since I really do enjoy writing here and sharing my decorating finds and the like. A few weekends ago I took a quick trip back to Aldie, VA to visit Bella Villa - one of my most favorite vintage shops in the area. I picked up a few gifts, some antique wrapping paper (which I, of course, gifted since I only use my one signature wrapping paper!), and some other cute little finds.
There's also been a trip to Las Vegas in the mix. Yes, really. No, never again. It's not like it's bad or anything, but I think I didn't really get a real flavor of what the city was like because I was at a conference and then entertaining clients all day/evening - so getting out wasn't really an option, and even if it was, it was between 111 and 115 degrees the days I was there, so.... yeah, I would have melted.
Then there is today. Do you ever have what you think is the perfect plan for the day, thinking everything will work out like its scheduled and supposed to, and then it just doesn't? I guess for a variety of reasons, but it just seems like everything you try doesn't work - and you have no choice but to think that it's for a reason, and it wasn't supposed to work out. Disappointment, or whatever the feeling may be, that there's this overriding notion that what your plans were were not the best for you - or anyone - and that's why they didn't work out.
The life of a former and recovering control freak is not always an easy path. And despite the jokes and laughs, it really is former, and recovering. People in my current day-to-day life don't know how much effort I put into not making the assumption that little I could know the plans that have been set for me - be it meeting times, or life plans. It's not easy - and I fail miserably all the time - but I know the plan before me is Good, and despite my failings and misgivings, and total lack in judgement at times (like today), that these are the reasons I need a Savior.
I suppose some days I am more thankful for that than others!
Round on the Sides & HI in the Middle...
If you've been reading very long you know there are a few places I just can't get enough of - and they aren't your normal to-die-for destinations usually.
That's okay with me though. Less tourists and tourist-y! Lately I've been pining for some Ohio, remembering the great time I had last fall over a long weekend. I go to the Cleveland area almost every fall - and this last October's trip was just as beautiful.
So I went to high school outside Cleveland and might have a special affinity for it... but it's also quite adorable!
Check out some of our fun during that perfect October weekend... sigh, I can almost smell the countryside now!
(First a funny one - a friend sitting with Kate.)
Leavin' On a Jet Plane
I'm off to see a little bit of this:
And some of this:
And maybe a little bit of that:
Oh, and get some slobbery presents from:
Can't wait. Be back next week friends!
Thanks for Having Me Back
My, my, my. What a whirlwind few weeks I’ve had. And a few weeks that I’ve ignored this little blog.
More than a few. Okay, you’ve got me.
This week isn’t over yet for me, but I had a mini-meltdown this week over work and after a few days past that I think I’m getting back to that point where I realize the job just isn’t everything. It’s not. But I forget that so often.
I don’t really know how I got there either – I had/have a workaholic dad who worked constantly, and I always vowed to not be like that. Yes we had everything we needed and more growing up, but I wanted to get out more, enjoy life more, have people over for dinner often. And here I am, not having eaten anything but cereal in my own home for the last three or four weeks and looking around at a month of piled up mail, and a disaster that some people would call laundry.
But sometimes it takes a bit of a meltdown to clear the mind – right? Let’s hope so.
Onward.
This week ended a full week of travel that started in Chicago, went straight to St. Louis, and then on to Asheville, NC for the remaining three days. And guess what. No, guess.
I didn’t check luggage. That’s right – I’m a girl, I traveled to cold, sort of cold, and cold again, and I had everything for a week of living in carry-ons. You’re impressed, I knew you would be.
One of the great things is that I got tons of pictures from the St. Louis trip, so you’ll be seeing some sweet Halloween shots of our little baby friend Elise soon:).
Glad to be back.
The Mission
After LA, LB picked me up and we spent the weekend in Santa Barbara. It was really just so beautiful. The weather was perfect, and we had a great time laughing, catching up, and just hanging out.
Before I left, LB really wanted me to see the Rose Garden outside The Mission, and I am so glad that we did! While the pictures in the post, I think are pretty and the flowers are beautiful in their own rite… there is something that is a bit surreal about walking amongst hundreds – maybe thousands – of flowers in your bare feet.
Yes the realities of cars, buildings, homes, palm trees (okay, maybe I’m straight crazy, but palm trees just don’t do it for me), horns honking… it’s all there. But seeing all these amazing flowers and all at one time, the eye is almost overwhelmed with color.
I’m stealing and idea for Mother’s Day from LB to use these photos to make note cards for Mom. Yes, it’s after Mother’s Day. Yes, I’m always late sending things. But Debbie will like them anyway, I’m sure of it :).
I'll post the cards post-production!
The Penthouse
Continuing on with my California adventures (I know, really, how late could this be?), the second day I was in Los Angeles for work, my client took my colleague and I to one of his favorite places – The Penthouse.
The Penthouse is a lovely – and I mean lovely – bar/restaurant at the top of The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. Just a 15 minute drive from our downtown hotel and it seemed like we were in a different world.
The shops were different, the people were different, the hotel was most definitely different. Much swankier, much more “LA” than down by the pier. The view at The Penthouse was one thing, being on the 13th or 14th floor of the building and looking out on to the ocean – but the décor was just as beautiful!
The Penthouse is a lovely – and I mean lovely – bar/restaurant at the top of The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. Just a 15 minute drive from our downtown hotel and it seemed like we were in a different world.
The shops were different, the people were different, the hotel was most definitely different. Much swankier, much more “LA” than down by the pier. The view at The Penthouse was one thing, being on the 13th or 14th floor of the building and looking out on to the ocean – but the décor was just as beautiful!
Their color scheme was cool, but not too “seaside.” Modern, but not also with some vintage mixed in. Modern with vintage mixed in?! I can’t BELIEVE this is something I would be attracted to immediately!!...
Just some of the pretties about the place that I couldn't get enough of:
** U-shaped tables along the window wall, but on a step, with the fourth remaining chair needing to be a bistro-height chair. Theirs, studded light blue suede.
** An extremely oversized leather chair – two or three people could have sat in this chair, and it brought in the vintage Hollywood feel. I sat in it for a moment and felt like a queen!
** The modern and straight lines and cubes, which were even more highlighted when tossed in the mix with pretty and soft curves and colors.
Shutters
While in LA last week, my colleague and I had the opportunity to take a few quick jaunts to different parts of the city. I swear the two and a half days I was in town seemed more like five days because of how much work, conferencing, meeting, and then quick little trips around town we did. But a great – and productive! – few days nonetheless.
Shutters is a beautiful beachside hotel that two DC friends recommended. Good thing someone we were with knew where it was, it’s a bit hidden among the buildings in Santa Monica, and under an amazing “ceiling” of flowers, ivies and plants.
Shutters is a beautiful beachside hotel that two DC friends recommended. Good thing someone we were with knew where it was, it’s a bit hidden among the buildings in Santa Monica, and under an amazing “ceiling” of flowers, ivies and plants.
While I didn’t take enough photos because, frankly, it was morning and we were going there for breakfast (read: I hadn’t had coffee, it was 10 a.m. Pacific… you get the point). Look through the link to get a better idea of how beautiful it is. I’ve heard rooms go for $800+ for a weekend night! Wow.We had the most amazing breakfast at their onsite restaurant. I had an omelet – perfectly fluffy, of course – with a white cheddar and fresh mushrooms, and quite possibly the best coffee I’ve had in some time. It was finished with amazing sourdough bread and fresh blueberry jam, with a side of perfectly browned home-style potatoes.
The inside of the Shutters restaurant is “beachy” but without being too thematic. Ah… just right!
Preview: Work Gone Fun Weekends
As my little Santa Barbara friend that I visited this last weekend would say… Get excited.
There are some ah-maze-ing and colorful pics coming not only from my trip last week to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, but also from Florida the week before.
And no, not because I’m good at taking pictures… because everything is so darn colorful there! A quick preview? Okay, sure.
First, a few days of work at Herita.ge Res.ource Ban.k where I took a client for the conference. It was a great conference and I got to see a bunch of people I only see a few times a year, so I always look forward to catching up. One more a few of us ventured in to Santa Monica and ate breakfast at Shutters, a most wonderful location for breakfast. And, by the way, they might have the best coffee I’ve ever had. Bold statement, I know.
But when LB picked me up, the fun really started! A great – and very unusual! – dinner at AOC in LA, and then back to the hotel for a good night of sleep. In the morning, with a brief interlude of a very stupid movie, we packed up and drove off to Santa Barbara, stopping for bagels and coffee, and maybe possibly an occasional impromptu photo shoot.
Later in the day we ventured to a few wineries (above), drove through the mountains. The day ended with a quick trip to the beach, a look/stalk of LB’s new house, and dinner and a movie.
More to come, pictures and all. And if you are wondering how much I had to psych myself up to actually post a blackberry-quality photo on my blog… yes, a lot. Don’t judge!
There are some ah-maze-ing and colorful pics coming not only from my trip last week to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, but also from Florida the week before.
And no, not because I’m good at taking pictures… because everything is so darn colorful there! A quick preview? Okay, sure.
First, a few days of work at Herita.ge Res.ource Ban.k where I took a client for the conference. It was a great conference and I got to see a bunch of people I only see a few times a year, so I always look forward to catching up. One more a few of us ventured in to Santa Monica and ate breakfast at Shutters, a most wonderful location for breakfast. And, by the way, they might have the best coffee I’ve ever had. Bold statement, I know.
But when LB picked me up, the fun really started! A great – and very unusual! – dinner at AOC in LA, and then back to the hotel for a good night of sleep. In the morning, with a brief interlude of a very stupid movie, we packed up and drove off to Santa Barbara, stopping for bagels and coffee, and maybe possibly an occasional impromptu photo shoot.
Later in the day we ventured to a few wineries (above), drove through the mountains. The day ended with a quick trip to the beach, a look/stalk of LB’s new house, and dinner and a movie.
More to come, pictures and all. And if you are wondering how much I had to psych myself up to actually post a blackberry-quality photo on my blog… yes, a lot. Don’t judge!
Sigh, Vacation
This is where I am right now...
After being here for the last four days, I am realizing how badly I needed a vacation. Some not-so-great things went down in my work life int he last week. They don't involved me, but still make me a wee sad (and worried).
After calming down from all of that the first and second day I was here, I relaxing and hanging out with the fam.
Mom's 54th birthday was on Friday, and Dad and I conspired to get her a yellow (her favorite color!) iPod Nano, and sure enough she was surprised AND liked it! We weren't sure if she would say she didn't think she would use it, blahbitty blah blah. You know how the old folks are sometimes.
Last night we ate at a Japanese restaurant with my brother, his wife, and my parents. And it's a few more trips to the beach for me before leaving Tuesday, a trip or two to the best costume/fashion jewelry store ever, a daily indulgence of an afternoon nap, and freedom to wear every print top I own.
Sweet Caroline
Last weekend I made a last minute trip to Middle America to visit S, who is expecting a new baby in approximately five weeks (yay!), but also has so much life business going on.
A very important work initiative, selling their house, buying a new house, decorating the new house (yes, very important!), having her first baby…
… you get the picture.
Thank goodness she has an uber supportive and involved hubby, and together they are a get-it-done couple. My quick trip was a good hang-out time with her, and probably the last time before it is just her, before Baby comes!
We had a great time of normalness – seeing the new house, buying appliances, packing their kitchen into boxes, dinner out, Easter church, and a city council meeting (that’s for another time).
Speaking of that new house, it is a beaut!!!
It’s a lovely white home in a neighborhood with mixed home types, which I just adore. It’s in the cute town of Kirkwood which has a great little downtown area, parks, and community centers.
A very important work initiative, selling their house, buying a new house, decorating the new house (yes, very important!), having her first baby…
… you get the picture.
Thank goodness she has an uber supportive and involved hubby, and together they are a get-it-done couple. My quick trip was a good hang-out time with her, and probably the last time before it is just her, before Baby comes!
We had a great time of normalness – seeing the new house, buying appliances, packing their kitchen into boxes, dinner out, Easter church, and a city council meeting (that’s for another time).
Speaking of that new house, it is a beaut!!!
It’s a lovely white home in a neighborhood with mixed home types, which I just adore. It’s in the cute town of Kirkwood which has a great little downtown area, parks, and community centers.
(Even the street name, Caroline, is so fitting!)
The house is about a hundred years old, has recently refinished wood floors throughout, and the original hardware from the floor vents to the door knobs and windows. It has so much charm it’s a bit hard to look away because everywhere your eyes go, a new little bit of character peeks out.
The 9-foot ceilings, classic-shaped windows, oversized and bold moldings, and interesting pass-ways and halls make this house one that I would die to get my hands on. Thankfully, S lets me spout off about all the things I would do if I, in fact, moved in like I am threatening to do!
A quick peak before they get their furniture in!
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