Summer Garden Tour: Beautiful Gardens Around the World
I recently saw an article from Virtuoso on beautiful gardens around the world. Did you catch it on our Curated Travel Facebook page? It reminded me of one of the favorite gardens that I visited at Lake Como in 2018. Villa Balbiano is a magnificent palazzo built in the 16th century, now part of the Heritage Collection, and is described as “The Italian Opulence on Lake Como”.
I recently saw an article from Virtuoso on beautiful gardens around the world. Did you catch it on our Curated Travel Facebook page? It reminded me of one of my personal favorite gardens that I visited at Lake Como in 2018. Villa Balbiano is a magnificent palazzo built in the 16th century, now part of the Heritage Collection, and is described as “The Italian Opulence on Lake Como”.
I wrote a blog post about my memorable visit to Villa Balbiano on Lake Como. It was early April and the gardens were just starting to wake up. Check out the video for an aerial perspective. The views of the gardens and palazzo are stunning!
My Pinterest board, Gardens Around the World, houses ethereal images of English, Italian, French and wine country gardens for inspiration. There is something calming and restorative about gazing at the beauty of nature in these spectacular gardens, especially in times like these. I hope you enjoy this mini virtual garden tour today.
All images from Pinterest with credit at link above.
As a travel advisor who has been homebound for the last 5 months, it’s more challenging to come up with travel inspiration for the blog. I hope this glimpse of beauty around the world brings you a bit of sunshine today.
Thank you for reading and be well. Heather
In case you missed this post from Virtuoso:
A Feature on the Ageless Style Series!
It is a true pleasure to be featured on the monthly Ageless Style Series hosted by the popular (and stylish) bloggers Cindy Hattersley and Elizabeth (aka La Contessa). I’m spilling some fashion/beauty/travel inspiration, and thoughts on staying ageless, over on Cindy’s beautiful blog at Rough Luxe Lifestyle.
From the Ageless style Series
It is a true pleasure to be featured on the monthly Ageless Style Series hosted by the popular (and very stylish) bloggers Cindy Hattersley and Elizabeth (aka La Contessa). I’m spilling some fashion/beauty/travel inspiration, and thoughts on staying ageless, over on Cindy’s beautiful blog at Rough Luxe Lifestyle here.
More posts on style:
Simple Tips for Creating a Cohesive Space
You may have the picture-perfect vases and glassware that produce a glistening display in your cupboard. You might even own the most breath-taking Victorian era furniture in pristine condition. But even the most perfect of accessories can fall flat in a room lacking a cohesive space.Creating a sense of unity in your home is a top priority, especially when it comes to getting the most out of your preexisting style and decor. When it comes to designing your home, there is no right or wrong. It’s a matter of choosing what accessories, colors, and furnishings best suit you and making all of your preferences work flawlessly together.Every home is about as unique and varied as the individuals who live in it — so why not let it show? You don't have to settle for mundane color schemes or one specific style to create the ultimate look in your home.If your rooms seem to emit a sort of choppiness or you can’t quite get the looks of your room to flow, be sure to check out our simple tips for creating a cohesive look in your home below.
Simple Tips for Creating a Cohesive Space
Guest Blogger – Kacey Mya
You may have the picture-perfect vases and glassware that produce a glistening display in your cupboard. You might even own the most breath-taking Victorian era furniture in pristine condition. But even the most perfect of accessories can fall flat in a room lacking a cohesive space.Creating a sense of unity in your home is a top priority, especially when it comes to getting the most out of your preexisting style and decor. When it comes to designing your home, there is no right or wrong. It’s a matter of choosing what accessories, colors, and furnishings best suit you and making all of your preferences work flawlessly together.Every home is about as unique and varied as the individuals who live in it — so why not let it show? You don't have to settle for mundane color schemes or one specific style to create the ultimate look in your home.If your rooms seem to emit a sort of choppiness or you can’t quite get the looks of your room to flow, be sure to check out our simple tips for creating a cohesive look in your home below.
Choose Your Paint WiselyThe hue of paint you choose to color your walls in can make or break the style of your space. While extravagant wallpaper and various room colorings can offer a sense of style to any room, you may want to choose a neutral shade that will allow the furniture and accessories to be the focal point instead.Just because neon yellow is your favorite color doesn’t mean you should splatter it onto your walls. When you want to connect your room’s overall look, choose a wall color that doesn’t detract your eye from what truly matters. The color of each room should enhance your décor — not overshadow it.Keep Your Flooring Consistent While you don't want every room to look like a mirror image of the one before it, the material you choose for your flooring should remain the same. Keeping your flooring consistent is even more crucial in apartments and smaller homes because a variety of designs will impair your ability to achieve a connected look. If you want to create a cohesive look in your home, choosing the right flooring is vital. Consider the floor styles that compliment your aesthetic and compare color schemes of wood and tiles to your existing layout. Remember that you can mix up the tiles and patterns — just try to keep the appearance and style consistent. Mimic Styles Without Mirroring CompletelyYou can’t achieve cohesion in your home when your living room is shrouded in retro décor and your dining room is entirely vintage. Instead of choosing distinct looks for every room, make sure the theme and style are apparent throughout.If you’re going for a country style look, be sure to incorporate rustic accessories into every room. Be careful that you don’t replicate each room’s look entirely, however — too much similarity can cause a mundane and lackluster appearance. Realize That Less Truly is MoreWhile a quick trip to your local supercenter for a few necessities can quickly turn into a few hours spent perusing the decoration aisle, remember to put down unwanted accessories the next time you go shopping.When it comes to decorations, less really is more. A room cannot achieve a connected look when it has too many accessories preventing your overall style from coming together. Consider minimalist decorations that allow you to still add a touch of panache without going overboard in the process. Know Your Style and Stick to ItCohesion doesn't come in one size, shape, or color. If you believe a tied-together look is synonymous with basic décor and interior furnishings, think again. Research studies show that humans crave a touch of personalization in their daily life decisions — home décor included! How cozy can your home honestly be if you don't feel like you had any power over how it looks? You can decorate your home with your unique style — the key is to just stick with your favored look throughout the entire house. Intermingle the Old with the NewJust because you want a polished style doesn't mean your home has to include décor made entirely within the last year. The most beautiful homes combine a mixture of various elements that defined the different time periods. To create a cohesive look with an added interest, try pairing traditional pieces with timeless vintage accessories. When it comes to decorating your home to perfection, there is no "correct" blueprint for success. Just know your style beforehand and shape your interests into a connected look that emits the most breath-taking display.
Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
Thank you for sharing your stylish ideas with Style*Mind*Chic Life today, Kacey!
Signature Style: Velvet Vibe
It seems that velvet is having a major moment right now. I'm spotting velvet in fashion, footwear and plush decor pieces and the velvet vibe feels more fresh and modern, interpreted differently than in the 90's. I've been a fan for many years. It's comfortable and luxurious to wear if done right. I'll never forget my emerald-green off the shoulder cocktail dress from the 90's. I'm hoping to add a pair of velvet booties to my collection this year. How do you feel about velvet?
SIGNATURE STYLE: VELVET VIBE
It seems that velvet is having a major moment right now. I'm spotting velvet in fashion, footwear and plush decor pieces and the velvet vibe feels more fresh and modern, interpreted differently than in the 90's. I've been a fan for many years. It's comfortable and luxurious to wear if done right. I'll never forget my emerald-green off the shoulder cocktail dress from the 90's. I'm hoping to add a pair of velvet booties to my collection this year. How do you feel about velvet?
(Click on gallery for slideshow)
A fabric which divides the masses, velvet as a trend is nothing new and considering fashion’s recent fixation with the 90s we almost should have seen it coming. It’s one of those lavish textiles that while not often at the forefront of the runway, season after season, is continually there in some capacity. For autumn/winter though velvet is undergoing a renaissance that sees the luxurious fabric outpace its tactless past for something altogether more stylish. It boasts a dangerous streak for sure but also a wonderfully eccentric and lustrous element..."
-Sarah Young from Independent UK
Proof that I've been a fan of velvet most of my life...
My sister and I in velvet
Here we are again circa 1971 and it seems gucci stole our look.
Color Story: Yellow Crush
Perhaps it's the settling in after a dreamy tropical vacation getaway, the pins and needles concern for our friends in the path of the hurricanes or the review of 9/11 on Monday, but I feel the need for a bit of cheer today. A shot of sunny yellow is just what the mood doctor ordered from my board "Yellow Crush" on Pinterest.
Color Story: Yellow Crush
lemon.canary.daffodil.sunshine.banana.butter.limone.mellowyellow.goldenrod.lemon.canary.daffodil.sunshine.maize.lemon.canary.daffodil.sunshine.banana.butter.limone
Perhaps it's the settling in after a dreamy tropical vacation getaway, the pins and needles concern for our friends in the path of the hurricanes or the review of 9/11 on Monday, but I feel the need for a bit of cheer today. A shot of sunny yellow is just what the mood doctor ordered from my board "Yellow Crush" on Pinterest.
Happy colors have a tendency to lighten the mood and I totally agree.
Wishing you a cheery day.
Brunch Style: Living on the Fringe with Uno Alla Volta
I have a new appreciation for brunch dates of late. Scott and I headed to one of our favorite brunch spots in Chico last Sunday, Two Twenty Restaurant, at Hotel Diamond. We were crushing on the 1955 Bel Air wagon parked out front. Nothing like cruising to Sunday brunch in style!
On the Fringe with Uno All Volta
I have a new appreciation for brunch dates of late. Scott and I headed to one of our favorite brunch spots in Chico last Sunday, Two Twenty Restaurant, at Hotel Diamond. We were crushing on the 1955 Bel Air wagon parked out front. Nothing like cruising to Sunday brunch in style!
It was a warm day and a flouncy dress was the best choice to keep my cool. I grabbed my new suede Florentine Fringe Clutch to mix up the look with a 70's vibe. This clutch is handcrafted in Florence, Italy, by Elisabetta and Alessandra for Uno Alla Volta. I'm wearing my favorite grayc glass necklace, as usual!
Translated from Italian, "uno alla volta" means "one at a time". This brand creates unique, artisan collections from around the world and makes them available conveniently online. I'm a fan of their luxurious leather bags, Murano glass jewelry and home decor pieces. With our travel to Italy last summer deeply embedded in my memories, I always appreciate a touch of Italy here in California.
For more on Uno Alla Volta.
The Florentine Suede Fringe Clutch was gifted to me by Uno Alla Volta. All opinions expressed are my own.
