COLOR STORY: Blush

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COLOR STORY: Blush

The first home I owned was a condo in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles, in La Crescenta. Though it was small, purchasing it was a huge milestone in my life. It was a brand spanking new one bedroom, one bath space with a balcony that overlooked a luscious garden of fragrant orange trees from the neighboring house. It was perfect for me.

Though I kept the color scheme neutral, back in the late 1980’s, I sought out the perfect shade of blush paint for the walls of my bedroom. The color, chameleon as the light changed throughout the day, added just the right amount of warmth to my space.  Blush is a universally flattering shade which is always a good thing, especially in the bedroom.

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An Afternoon in Beguiling Bellagio on Lake Como

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An Afternoon in Beguiling Bellagio on Lake Como

One afternoon Scott and I pointed our rented Peugeot northeast, from our villa in Lezzeno, to beautiful Bellagio for the afternoon. Known for grand hotels, elegant villas, voluptuous flower boxes and stunning views from the steep staircases of the city center. Bellagio is beguiling.

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How to Survive Those 'Last Day of Vacation' Blues

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How to Survive Those 'Last Day of Vacation' Blues

All good things must come to an end and my least favorite phrase to hear on vacation, “Tomorrow is our last day” was spoken.

UGH!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a nester and I love being at home, but once we settled into our luxurious suite, adjusted to the pace of resort life and getting spoiled — by gourmet food, fruity drinks, and pampering spa services — as well as being catered to at our every whim, it is hard to say goodbye to our new friends at Secrets Papagayo.

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Curated Travel: Tips on Prepping for an International Getaway

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Curated Travel: Tips on Prepping for an International Getaway

I've spent the weekend packing for our first getaway to Central America--Costa Rica--to be exact. I'm expecting a lush, tropical jungle, bold adventures, and a bit of luxury pictured above--and I'm excited. After 11 days home with the flu, I am feeling good as new and ready for a getaway to Secrets Papagayo with my favorite guy. Over the years, I've found that packing requires different strategies for different types of vacations. International travel has a few additional requirements.

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Curated Hotel: A Cozy Wine Country Getaway to the Wydown Hotel in St. Helena

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Curated Hotel: A Cozy Wine Country Getaway to the Wydown Hotel in St. Helena

Wydown Hotel has a well-appointed suite including luxury linens, super plush robes, slippers, gourmet coffees and fun touches like free bottles of Izze sparkling clementine. After settling into our rustic luxe suite we opened a bottle of wine and relaxed in the cozy leather chair for two. I spotted a hefty stack of stylish coffee table books on wine country life and knew this would be a cozy way to relax after the rainy drive.

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COLOR STORY: Rainbows of Color

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COLOR STORY: Rainbows of Color

Perhaps it's because the pre-spring weather is vacillating between sunny with blue skies to waves of pelting rain, all within the same hour today, that has me dreaming of rainbows. Or perhaps it's because I have been housebound for....wait for it...8 days and counting, with a nasty respiratory flu that has me seeing a mirage of cold-medication induced rainbows today.

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Our Lakeside Stay at a Villa in Lezzeno, at Lake Como, Italy

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Our Lakeside Stay at a Villa in Lezzeno, at Lake Como, Italy

If the Amalfi Coast is shimmering pastels and Siena is rich, brushstrokes in oils, then Lake Como is bathed in watercolors mingling shadows with light. The views of mountain, sky and water are made chameleon by the microclimates in the Lombardy region of the Italian Alps. From sunny and brilliant to dark and stormy, punctuated with raindrops, no wonder this moody vista is considered magical to those who visit.

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The Fine Art of a Romantic Date Night at Home [Thanks to Bacio Catering]

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The Fine Art of a Romantic Date Night at Home [Thanks to Bacio Catering]

The menu for the Valentine’s Day carry-out dinner was pure deliciousness . I pre-ordered the butternut squash lasagna and Scott ordered the steak medallions with red-wine reduction. Bacio clearly laid out all instructions for heating our meal and it came together in just a few minutes. There was plenty of time to enjoy sips of sparkling wine while preparing our courses.

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Curated Travel Featured on The Knot Website For Destination Weddings, Honeymoons + Romance Travel

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Romance Travel 

I have some exciting news about Curated Travel services. My travel advisor business is now being featured on The Knot's wedding website as a vendor of romance travel. Romance travel is big these days! It has expanded from destination weddings and honeymoons to bachelor parties, engagement parties, and even bridal shower getaways. Babymoons, rekindle moons (as I call them) and retirement moons are also hot these days. It's clear that travelers are finding fulfillment in celebrating milestones of life in unforgettable destinations.

 

The Link:

Curated Travel on The Knot

If you followed have Style*Mind*Chic Life blog you may remember that I received an invitation to The Knot's Dream Wedding in wine country a couple of years ago. I was honored to be invited for an all expenses paid trip to wine country to cover the wedding as a lifestyle blogger. Unfortunately, I had two events in Chico on the same day, including graduation for students in the adult program where I worked; it was a difficult decision but I had to decline the invitation. I was lucky enough to attend via live- streaming. The Knot staff sent me the professional images of the wedding so that I could blog about the event: My Invitation to The Knot's Dream Wedding in wine country.

As you can imaigne, I'm excited to be partnering with The Knot, again, for my Curated Travel services.

As Seen in The Knot Magazine

In my book, travel inherently has an air of romance to it.

It's all about the adventure and the fresh experience.

If you are looking to add the romance of travel to your life,

contact me below to get started.

 

All Images Heather Lindstrom, Style*Mind*Chic Life/Curated Travel

The Fine Art of the Romantic Gesture [It Doesn't Cost a Thing!]

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The Fine Art of the Romantic Gesture [It Doesn't Cost a Thing!]

Nothing like my husband being gone the weekend before Valentine's Day to make me feel nostalgic and sentimental. I've been in a mood to clear the clutter and organize this winter, so I dug into boxes of old photographs and cards this weekend for a stroll down memory lane.

I was reminded of the fine art of the romantic gesture; it costs absolutely nothing (or nearly nothing if you buy a card). This is a good one. Nearly 20 years from when we first met, this romantic gesture still fans the flame around our house. The first year I started this blog I somehow got Scott to agree to share his perspective on how to make your love interest swoon.

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Curated Travel Dream Destination: Amanyara Turks & Caicos

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Curated Travel Dream Destination: Amanyara Turks & Caicos

Amanyara in Turks and Caicos features a combination of pavilions and villas which sit in harmony with the environment. The buildings have low roof lines that converge with the landscape, embracing lakes, ponds and an oceanfront setting that includes low rocky headlands and a sweeping white sand beach. The contemporary design villas have a dramatic overhanging roof line that creates shaded outdoor areas on the three terraces.

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5 Romantic Places to Dine Like Star-Crossed Lovers - Curated Travel

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5 Romantic Places to Dine Like Star-Crossed Lovers - Curated Travel

Let’s face it, sometimes we all need a little inspiration to bring the romance back into life. It’s so easy to let day-to-day stresses zap the life blood out of a relationship. If you are needing a few ideas to enhance a date night, a couple of these romantic places to dine that might just set the stage.

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