CURATED TRAVEL: Postcard from the Crown Princess on the Eastern Caribbean
This is just a peek of life on the Crown Princess sailing on the Eastern Caribbean. After 8 days floating on this stately cruise ship, I have a new appreciation for the fine art of cruising. The Caribbean is just as beautiful as ever with the shimmering turquoise waters, sugar sand beaches and beguiling breezes.
Postcard from the Crown Princess on the Eastern Caribbean
This is just a peek of life on the Crown Princess sailing on the Eastern Caribbean. After 8 days floating on this stately cruise ship, I have a new appreciation for the fine art of cruising. The Caribbean is just as beautiful as ever with the shimmering turquoise waters, sugar sand beaches and beguiling breezes.
Sending sunshine your way today.
Wish you were here!
A Parisian Apartment Style Brunch
One of the most alluring reasons to stay in a Parisian apartment while visiting Paris is savoring a taste of the French way of life. With a boulangerie, fruit market, grocery, patisserie, butcher and international market on nearly every block, it’s easy to gather the freshest, tastiest ingredients each day to create memorable bites.
Our Parisian Apartment style brunch in Paris
Brunch in the Parisian Apartment
One of the most alluring reasons to stay in a Parisian apartment while visiting Paris is savoring a taste of the French way of life. With a boulangerie, fruit market, grocery, patisserie, butcher and international market on nearly every block, it's easy to gather the freshest, tastiest ingredients each day to create memorable bites.
It doesn't have to be elaborate, though it can be, for us it was simple, fresh and flavorful. These are a few of the items we collected for brunch in the Parisian apartment in July. Pain au chocolate croissants, café crèmes, asparagus quiche, juicy peaches, and fresh scrambled eggs for one morning. This was our simple, fresh, tasty le petit déjeuner in the Parisian apartment.
(Click on images for slideshow)
Where is your favorite place to brunch?
For more on this romantic Parisian apartment.
To book your dream getaway to Paris contact us - Curated Travel.
Curated Travel: Packing Tips - Edited Accessories + New Favorites from grayc glass
I've learned to minimize and refine my packing style through trial and error. I believe it was that three-week vacation to Italy and France in 2011, lugging an overweight suitcase on and off train platforms, up tiny staircases of hotels, and out of taxi cabs, that finally made me a believer in the less is more approach to packing and traveling. I was also grateful that neither Scott or I developed a hernia hoisting that bag up and down for three weeks.
Packing Tips: Edited Accessories
When it comes to accessories: Never underestimate the power of a sleek pair of sunglasses, a great scarf, signature jewelry and a fedora while traveling.
I've learned to minimize and refine my packing style through trial and error. I believe it was that three-week vacation to Italy and France in 2011, lugging an overweight suitcase on and off train platforms, up tiny staircases of hotels, and out of taxi cabs, that finally made me a believer in the less is more approach to packing and traveling. I was also grateful that neither Scott or I developed a hernia hoisting that bag up and down for three weeks.
Accessories have always been an issue for me, especially when traveling to an area with a chic sense of style, like Paris, the Riviera, the Amalfi Coast or a luxury resort in the Caribbean. Despite refining my clothing list, I had a hard time saying 'no' to many of my favorite accessories. This habit led to a hefty jewelry and accessories case to lug around with me, even during lengthy travels.
I'm a firm believer that switching out jewelry, scarves, and accessories can transform a basic black outfit, making them the perfect travel hack. That said, I was still hauling around more than I needed, due to sheer indecision, in the packing process. I also noticed that I often wore just a few statement pieces to keep it simple anyway.
For my trip to Italy and France last summer, I vowed to break my habit, and I seriously edited the jewelry and accessories that I packed.
*I carefully laid out a few must-haves, a gold bangle, Trina Turk bracelet, a statement ring from grayc glass, crystal studs, a sparkly necklace, gold framed earrings and a Marc Jacobs rose gold watch. I knew that these would be my go-to statement pieces for three weeks of travel so they had to be right.
*I reviewed my clothing pieces, arranged by outfits, to see that I had the right pieces to work with each ensemble.
Rather than 25-30 items, as usual, I had 7-8 thoughtfully chosen accessories which made the process of packing, traveling and dressing each day much more simplified.
I used the same system when packing accessories for Secrets Papagayo in Costa Rica last March.
I snapped this pic in Paris from my perch in the Parisian apartment we rented last summer. This is one of my favorite signature rings designed by fused glass artist Courtney Gray of grayc glass. I wrote about my visit to Courtney's studio a couple of years ago for the blog. Courtney has a huge range of statement pieces available in her online boutique. She is also a founding member of my FEISTY group for Female Entrepreneurs. I often find myself reaching for a grayc glass statement ring to pack since I'm a fan of cocktail rings, the fused glass is beautifully unique and they remind me of home in Chico, no matter how far I travel.
A few of my latest favorites from grayc glass and her blog post featuring Curated Travel
Do you have statement pieces and packing trips for travel?
Throwback Travel: Our Honeymoon in Zihuatanejo
Just yesterday I came across an album of old photographs and was mesmerized by the grainy images, long forgotten, captured between the slightly dusty covers. It was an album of our honeymoon, back at the ‘turn of the century’, in 2000. This was before digital cameras, Facebook check-ins, camera phones, and selfie sticks. It was pure, unadulterated relaxation and romance, just like any honeymoon should be. Due to hurricane season being in full swing in September, we opted for a honeymoon resort on the western coast of Mexico, now known as The Thompson Zihuatanejo.
Honeymoon in Zihuatanejo
Just yesterday I came across an album of old photographs and was mesmerized by the grainy images, long forgotten, captured between the slightly dusty covers. It was an album of our honeymoon, back at the 'turn of the century', in 2000. This was before digital cameras, Facebook check-ins, camera phones, and selfie sticks. It was pure, unadulterated relaxation and romance, just like any honeymoon should be. Due to hurricane season being in full swing in September, we opted for a honeymoon resort on the western coast of Mexico, now known as the Thompson Zihuatanejo.
Bliss, all-inclusive luxury right on the beach.
Playing in the waves
Remembering HIS smile that captured my fancy the first time we met at that conference in San Francisco.
Practicing my mermaid skills in the infinity edged pool.
A reminder that no matter how imperfect we may feel on any given day,
we will look back and remember how easy it was to look this way.
Big beach hair- as usual.
An afternoon at the spa for two - erasing the exhaustion of a move to a new city, an engagement, designing a new build home,
landing a new job, and planning a garden wedding within three months.
One night we caught a taxi to a local restaurant, just up the hill, we had heard about around the pool, Kau-Kan. I will never forget that moment we stepped onto the upper terrace, panoramic views with ethereal music playing in the background. It was pure magic!
La Califfa
It was one of those moments of sensual perfection -- the sights, the sound, the flavors, the scents - that you never want to forget. A honeymoon should be designed to capture those kinds of moments that you reflect on over and over as the years go by.
Memories of a lifetime....
To book: The Thompson Zihuatanejo
or
Contact us at Curated Travel to book your next getaway.
An Afternoon in Picturesque Varenna on the Shores of Lake Como, Italy
There are places you stumble upon while traveling that simply need no explanation. On a hazy summer afternoon, we arrived by boat, from Bellagio. Between flashes of sunlight, bursts of showers, and a moody mist that wound around our afternoon, we experienced Varenna, on the shores of Lake Como. These images speak for themselves. Click on the gallery to open a slide show of charming Varenna.
Varenna, on the shores of Lake Como, Italy
There are places you stumble upon while traveling that simply need no explanation. On a hazy summer afternoon, we arrived by boat, from Bellagio. Between flashes of sunlight, bursts of showers, and a moody mist that wound around our afternoon, we experienced Varenna, on the shores of Lake Como. These images speak for themselves. Click on the gallery to open a slide show of charming Varenna.
When the skies opens up and you find yourself drenched like we were, seek shelter under a covered patio. Order up some yummy comfort food, like this Northern Italian style risotto, enjoy the decadence of the chocolate mousse and enjoy that chilled bottle of sauvignon blanc. We lingered at this lakeside restaurant, enjoying the view, our conversations and making some new friends on this cozy afternoon at Varenna.
Varenna was our last stop in Italy on our summer holiday.
Next stop-- PARIS!
Curated Hotel: Living 'Pura Vida' at Secrets Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Our recent trip to Costa Rica was a travel bucket list item for us as our first trip to Central America. We fell in love with the casual, tropical vibe and the stunning natural beauty that surrounded us. Costa Rica is infused with the attitude of ‘Pura Vida’, more eloquent than mere words can express, it’s an attitude of living the essence of pure life.
Getaway to Secrets Papagayo in Costa Rica
Our recent trip to Costa Rica was a travel bucket list item for us as our first trip to Central America. We fell in love with the casual, tropical vibe and the stunning natural beauty that surrounded us. Costa Rica is infused with the attitude of 'Pura Vida', more eloquent than mere words can express, it's an attitude of living the essence of pure life.
Secrets Papagayo is a luxury, all-inclusive beachfront resort on the peninsula of Papagayo. The intimate collection of low, mostly one-story bungalows, are sprinkled throughout the expansive property, infused with tropical beauty. Chauffeured golf carts are available, at the touch of a button, to whisk you to your destination on the property. Ipads in each suite allow for ordering up spa services, room service and more. An in room 'secret cupboard' allows for your meals and drinks to be delivered to your suite, without being disturbed, with 24-hour room service. Once delivered, a light goes on and you know that your meal has arrived.
Stunning natural beauty abounds in Costa Rica.
secrets-papagayo-costa-rica
Evening at Secrets
From morning yoga on the beach, to kayaking, to wildlife hikes, bike tours, wine tasting dinners with live music, private beachside dinners and dance lessons, Secrets has plenty of options to keep you happy. Spotting the monkeys in the trees was one of the highlights for us. Secrets resorts are known for luxurious spa treatments and a couple's massage has become a must do for our getaways. We also made some fun new friends, always a plus of traveling. Dana and Chandler, see you in Aruba!! ;)
As preferred club members we can reserve a private beach cabana, with full service, for the day. We found this to be a wonderful way to spend a relaxing day (or 6) at the beach.
Food and drink options are limitless at Secrets. From healthy options to decadent dishes you can live it up however you like. With all-inclusive gourmet dining, you don't worry about a thing!
That moment, of taking care of a bit of travel business on my laptop, from this "home office". The stuff of my dreams!
A breakfast serenade at Secrets....
We enjoyed every minute of our getaway to Secrets Papagayo. Each time we visit a resort from the AMResorts group - Secrets, Zoetry, Dreams - we are so impressed with the impecable, friendly service. Staff is trained to make our staff seamless and enjoyable. We feel at home, at each resort, from the moment we are greeted with a friendly smile, served a cool towel, a frosty welcome drink and a "Welcome Home".
Costa Rica, infused with the attitude of 'Pura Vida' -- more eloquent than mere words can express -- it's an attitude of living the essence of pure life.
Costa Rica-you are such a natural beauty! We are taking your 'pura vida' attitude home with us!
To book a getaway to Costa Rica contact me:
For more on Unlimited Luxury at Secrets
Thank you to Unlimited Vacations and Secrets for making our stay so unforgettable!
