What I Gained By Giving Up My Shopping Habit [Retirement Series]

What I Gained By Giving Up My Shopping Habit [Retirement Series]

The last time I indulged in my regular shopping habit was June 2016.  This may sound odd, but Iโ€™m tracking how long itโ€™s been since I have darkened the door of my previous shopping addiction, TJMAXX.  Itโ€™s been nearly 10 months. Iโ€™m sure my friends working at the checkout stand assume Iโ€™m pushing up daisies by now!

As with many life transitions, like retirement/reinvention, being conscientious with finances is an essential piece of the puzzle.  Iโ€™m impressed by how much cutting the excess shopping can ease the strain of a reduced income. Itโ€™s a simple, but effective formula.

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CURATED TRAVEL: Dream Destination - Bora Bora in French Polynesia

CURATED TRAVEL: Dream Destination - Bora Bora in French Polynesia

One of the destinations at the top of my travel bucket list is Bora Bora in French Polynesia. The shimmering turquoise waters and sparkling sugar sand beaches speak to a tropical paradise. The Tahitian experience, in over-water luxury bungalows, is the stuff of fantasy.

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COLOR STORY: Blush

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 1980โ€™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

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

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, โ€œTomorrow is our last dayโ€ was spoken.

UGH!

Donโ€™t get me wrong, Iโ€™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 โ€” by gourmet food, fruity drinks, and pampering spa services โ€” 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

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

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

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

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]

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

The menu for the Valentineโ€™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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